PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robin Gaia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Tolstoy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gaia comes to the cage accompanied by Manowar- Battle Hymn. Tolstoy has chosen Prong - Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gaia
vs
Tolstoy

225 cm
25
300 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

200 cm
25
320 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robin Gaia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andre Tolstoy!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Thiago Cunha and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tolstoy wants to clinch up but Gaia keeps it at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gaia is defended easily by Tolstoy.
Tolstoy goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Gaia tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tolstoy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gaia somewhat.
Gaia stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tolstoy.

Tolstoy drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gaia sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Gaia is breathing heavily.
Tolstoy trying to mount his opponent but Gaia defends it.

Gaia is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tolstoy pulls his head out easily.
Tolstoy trying to control the action but Gaia is working from the bottom.
Tolstoy scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Tolstoy wants to stand up but Gaia is controlling the position.
Tolstoy working Gaia over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tolstoy lands a nice short elbow.
Gaia moves into full guard.
Tolstoy makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tolstoy lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gaia will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Tolstoy sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gaia's guard.
Tolstoy winds up and cracks Gaia with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tolstoy lands with a punch from half guard.
Tolstoy looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gaia with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Tolstoy scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gaia taking some punishment here, with Tolstoy in his half guard.
Gaia wants to improve his position but Tolstoy is controlling well.
Gaia manages to get to full guard.

Tolstoy stands up from Gaia's guard - Tolstoy perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaia shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tolstoy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Robin Gaia has been cut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robin Gaia. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tolstoy shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Gaia napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Tolstoy lands a few punches from side control.
Tolstoy scores with punches from side control.
Tolstoy staying calm.
Tolstoy connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Gaia some visible discomfort.
Check out the look on Tolstoy's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Tolstoy working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Tolstoy lands a nice forearm strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tolstoy lands a decent elbow from side control.
Tolstoy working the ground and pound from side control.
Gaia manages to work his way to half guard, despite Tolstoy's best efforts.
Ground and pound from Tolstoy.
Gaia is trying to get back to full guard.
Tolstoy looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gaia with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Tolstoy scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Tolstoy passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Gaia!
Tolstoy lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Tolstoy is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Gaia can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gaia is desperately trying to improve his position but Tolstoy has a good base and remains in mount.
A nice elbow there by Tolstoy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tolstoy raining down shots from the mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tolstoy with the ground and pound from mount.
Tolstoy scoring with strikes but Gaia is staying in there.
Gaia in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Tolstoy cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee warns Gaia that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Gaia can't escape the position.
Tolstoy cracks Gaia with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Tolstoy is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Gaia can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Tolstoy cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tolstoy trying to control but Gaia is having none of it.
Gaia really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Tolstoy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Robin Gaia's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A looping hook to the body misses from Tolstoy. Gaia does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tolstoy tries to clinch but Gaia is having none of it.
Tolstoy throws a right hand that Gaia ducks under and follows up with a left that Gaia also avoids with ease.
Gaia connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gaia tries to bum rush Tolstoy with a series of wild strikes but Tolstoy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tolstoy misses with a low kick.

Tolstoy moves into range and clinches up with Gaia.
Tolstoy working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tolstoy throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gaia jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tolstoy walks away with a smile on his face. Gaia gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tolstoy looks to land a left hand but Gaia moved out of range nicely.
Robin Gaia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tolstoy tries to clinch up.
Gaia has his takedown stuffed

and Tolstoy counters with a single leg into guard. Gaia didn't expect that.

Gaia has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tolstoy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Tolstoy gets to his feet. Gaia looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tolstoy shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gaia is trying to defend but Tolstoy finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Tolstoy seems to be looking for submissions.
Gaia is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Tolstoy drops an elbow to the side of Gaia's head.
Tolstoy scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Andre Tolstoy has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tolstoy has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Tolstoy punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaia really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tolstoy postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gaia looks a forlorn figure.
Tolstoy looking to finish Gaia with some ground and pound. This is bad for Gaia!
Gaia taking shots to the head.
Gaia is trying to escape the mount.
Gaia takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gaia is looking to get to half guard.
Tolstoy lands a nice shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tolstoy looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Tolstoy looking to control but Gaia is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Tolstoy lands with some strikes.
Gaia slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Tolstoy takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Tolstoy looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gaia wants to improve his position but Tolstoy is controlling well.
Tolstoy looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Tolstoy decides to stand up.

Tolstoy shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Gaia napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Tolstoy working the ground and pound from side control.
Gaia takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaia takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Gaia sneaks back into half guard.
Tolstoy winds up and cracks Gaia with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tolstoy lands with a punch from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tolstoy lands a nice short elbow.

Tolstoy seems to be working for a kimura but Gaia defends the submission attempt.
Tolstoy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gaia moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tolstoy with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gaia manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Tolstoy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Robin Gaia's cut.
That's time! Gaia's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Tolstoy looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Gaia!
Gaia really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Gaia is bucking up trying to escape but Tolstoy cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
A nice elbow there by Tolstoy.
Tolstoy is landing with some decent strikes but Gaia is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Gaia is in all sorts of trouble here.
Tolstoy lands a big elbow.
Gaia tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A nice elbow there by Tolstoy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tolstoy in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
The referee warns Gaia that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaia tries to reverse the position but Tolstoy maintains control.
Tolstoy lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Gaia hang on?
Tolstoy landing strikes from the mount.
Gaia really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tolstoy lands a big shot there that rocks Gaia but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Tolstoy has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Gaia's face.
Tolstoy prevents Gaia from getting the reversal.
Tolstoy landing strikes, looking to finish!
Tolstoy lands a big elbow.
Tolstoy raining down shots from the mount!
Gaia is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two 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.
The referee warns Gaia that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Tolstoy dominating with strikes here.
Tolstoy landing strikes from the mount and Gaia is in trouble!
Tolstoy with a couple of short strikes.
Tolstoy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tolstoy lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Tolstoy landing strikes from the mount and Gaia is in trouble!
Tolstoy with a couple of short strikes.
Tolstoy punishing his opponent with strikes.
Tolstoy lands a big elbow.
Gaia wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Tolstoy.
Tolstoy lands a big shot there that rocks Gaia but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Tolstoy wants to control the pace but Gaia is squirming around nicely.
Gaia regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaia moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Tolstoy content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Gaia working for a triangle but Tolstoy defends it easily.
Tolstoy stands up over Gaia, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Tolstoy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Gaia has his foot on Tolstoy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tolstoy works his way back into a safe position though.
Tolstoy with a nice head shot there.
Gaia is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tolstoy trying to control the position from guard on top but Gaia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gaia is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tolstoy defends well.
Tolstoy is working Gaia over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tolstoy distracts Gaia with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Andre Tolstoy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tolstoy passes Gaia's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gaia moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Tolstoy lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Tolstoy gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Robin Gaia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice body punch from Gaia.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andre Tolstoy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tolstoy has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 26:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andre Tolstoy!