PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gypsy Gusmao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rabiz Rabizian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gusmao
vs
Rabizian

200 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gypsy Gusmao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rabiz Rabizian!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Paulsen Ambrosius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Rabizian.
Rabizian circles away from the clinch attempt.

Rabizian looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Gusmao!
Gusmao tries to hold on but Rabizian pushes him away.
Gusmao sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Rabizian is looking to take a break and control but Gusmao is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rabizian is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Rabizian thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gusmao's head.
Gusmao wants to control but Rabizian is keeping busy.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Gusmao is not content to let Rabizian control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gusmao is trying to control but can't.
Rabizian seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gusmao does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rabizian walks into a jab.
Gusmao doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rabizian counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rabizian.
Gusmao drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rabizian gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Gusmao wants to break free but Rabizian has control.
Rabizian blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Rabizian has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Gusmao uses from the top position.

Gusmao drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rabizian manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gusmao has Rabizian in his guard.
Rabizian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gusmao is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gusmao is trying to keep Rabizian in close.
Rabizian is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Gusmao working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rabizian trying to control but Gusmao is working from the bottom.
Rabizian trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Gusmao is looking for a triangle here but Rabizian uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Rabizian tries to move into full mount but can't pass Gusmao's legs.
Rabizian wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gusmao keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rabizian throws a sloppy head kick and Gusmao moves out of range easily.

Rabizian closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rabizian tries to pass to full mount but Gusmao defends it.
Rabizian looks gassed!
Gusmao is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rabizian's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rabizian's back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gusmao is looking to control Rabizian but Rabizian is wriggling around and keeping busy.

Gusmao is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rabiz Rabizian 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.

Rabizian shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gusmao's guard.
Rabizian passes Gusmao's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Gusmao trying to control but Rabizian postures up.

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

Gusmao looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rabizian is breathing heavily.
Gusmao trying to hold on to Rabizian's head to control him but Rabizian postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gusmao is refusing to be controlled, as Rabizian sits in half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A big left from Gusmao misses.
Gusmao scores with a nice right hand.
Gusmao misses with a looping left.
Gusmao scores with a hook.
A big left from Gusmao misses.
Rabizian moves away from the strike by Gusmao.
Gusmao connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Rabizian shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gusmao manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rabizian is looking to work some ground and pound but Gusmao has wrist control.

Rabizian stands up and waves to Gusmao to follow him.
Gusmao tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Rabizian counters by clinching up.

Rabizian pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Good exchange - Gusmao coming out on top.
Gusmao lands a jab-cross combination.
Gusmao is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Gusmao throws a predictable looking body shot

and Rabizian counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gusmao won't be happy with that.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Rabizian decides to stand back up. Rabizian steps back and let's Gusmao get back to his feet.
Gusmao throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Rabizian counters with a single leg into guard. Gusmao didn't expect that.

Rabizian 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.

Gusmao working for a triangle but Rabizian defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rabizian tries to free his leg and advance position but Gusmao is retaining full guard.
Rabiz Rabizian has got the better of the ground game so far.

Rabizian got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gusmao has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rabizian has managed to get both his arms back between Gusmao's legs - danger averted.
Rabizian controlling from the top position.
Gusmao looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gusmao working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rabizian.
Rabizian looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gusmao has his foot on Rabizian's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rabizian works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rabiz Rabizian showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Rabizian closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rabizian lands in his opponent's guard.
Gusmao keeping full guard, as Rabizian tries to pass.
Rabizian not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gusmao trying to keep a closed guard but Rabizian is proving a slippery customer.
Rabizian slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Rabizian stands and steps away. Gusmao gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Rabizian takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gusmao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rabizian was well out of range. Poor timing from Gusmao.
A cross from Gusmao lands.
Gusmao keeps the fight on the outside.
Gusmao closes the distance but Rabizian moves to the side

and Rabizian counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Rabizian passes Gusmao's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gusmao wants to control but Rabizian is keeping busy.
Rabizian wants to free his trapped foot but Gusmao is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Rabizian wants to stand up but Gusmao manages to regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rabizian postures up in Gusmao's guard and throws a big left but Gusmao blocks it.
Rabizian looking to pass the guard.
Rabizian throwing strikes but missing.
Gusmao seems keen to control Rabizian's posture.
Rabizian trying to control but Gusmao is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gusmao scores with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gusmao ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Gusmao wants to clinch

and Rabizian decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gusmao's guard.

Gusmao working for a triangle but Rabizian defends it easily.

Rabizian drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Gusmao manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Rabizian has Gusmao in his guard.

Rabizian looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gusmao trying to control the position from guard on top but Rabizian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gypsy Gusmao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rabizian wants to sweep but no luck.
Gusmao is looking to stand up but Rabizian won't let him.
Gusmao looking to sit in guard and control but Rabizian gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gusmao working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rabizian doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Gusmao is tightening it up a little... Rabizian has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Rabizian reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Rabizian taps out! nice BJJ there by Gusmao!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:04 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Gypsy Gusmao!