PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Silver Back (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takanori Gomi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Back
vs
Gomi

225 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Silver Back!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Takanori Gomi!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Richard Clark and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gomi is looking to land body kicks.
Back lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gomi at a distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Back rushes Gomi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Back really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Back goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gomi prevents it.

Back is trying to trip Gomi. He has hold of a leg but Gomi is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Back persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Back postures up in Gomi's guard and throws a big left but Gomi blocks it.
Back loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Back looking to pass the guard.
Back prevents Gomi from getting back to his feet.
Gomi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Back working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gomi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Back throwing strikes but missing.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gomi moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Gomi looks for the body kick but Back saw that one coming.
Good leg kick by Gomi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Gomi throws a body kick that misses.
Silver Back seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Back showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gomi.
Back dodges the punch combination from Gomi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Back cracks the inside of Gomi's front leg.
Gomi throws a series of strikes that have Back backpedaling.
Back tries to clinch up but Gomi circles away and keeps his distance.
Gomi with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Back to score with a decent uppercut.
Back wants to clinch.
Back comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A head kick misses from Gomi.

Back gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A frustrated look appears on Gomi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gomi tries to break free but Back pushes him back against the cage.
Gomi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Back has him pressed against the cage.
Back drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Back fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Silver Back. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gomi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gomi wants to break free but Back has control.

Back jumps into guard, dragging Gomi to the mat.
Back wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Back wants to stand up but Gomi is controlling him.
Back is breathing heavily.
Back trying to strike off his back.
Gomi is looking to stand up but Back won't let him.
Back doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Back manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Back with shots to the head and body - Gomi looks very uncomfortable down there.
Gomi wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Back.
Back throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Back unloads with some shots from mount but Gomi bucks and avoids them well.
Gomi in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gomi trying desperately to get to his feet.
Back putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Back with good strikes from the mount here!
Gomi is in a horrible position here. Back smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Back working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Gomi is trying to stand.
Back lands a nice shot to the head.
Back lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Gomi is in a horrible position here. Back smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomi is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Back looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
You get the feeling that Gomi really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Back with shots to the head and body - Gomi looks very uncomfortable down there.
Gomi wants to try and get back to his feet.
Back connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Back landing strikes, looking to finish!
Back throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Gomi because Back loaded up on that one.
Back thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Back unloads with some shots from mount but Gomi bucks and avoids them well.
Back lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Silver Back 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.

Gomi connects with a high kick.
Back connects with a body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Back looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Back swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Back avoids the head kick by Gomi.

Back clinches.
Back fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Gomi wants to get back to striking at distance but Back won't allow it.

Back jumps into guard, dragging Gomi to the mat.
Gomi wants to get up but he can't break Back's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Gomi stopping the sweep attempt from Back.
Back throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Gomi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Back is proving hard to escape from.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Back trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Back wants to sweep but no luck.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gomi tries to land a front kick but Back steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Back gets a clinch.

Back gets control of Gomi's arms and successfully pulls guard. Back will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Gomi won't allow Back to sweep him here.
Back is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Nice strikes from Back there.
Back takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gomi can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gomi won't allow Back to pass to mount.
Back sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gomi defending well though.
Back throwing shots but Gomi is blocking nicely.
Back is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Back scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gomi tries to kick Back off but Back keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Gomi lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Back backs up against the cage.
Back bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gomi's head backwards.
Back avoids the head kick by Gomi.
The fighters circling - Gomi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Back has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

Back clinches up with Gomi and pushes him back against the cage.
Back has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Gomi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gomi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Back has him pressed against the cage.
Back lands a knee to the head.
Gomi tries to break the clinch but Back is controlling the position.
Back tries to pull guard but Gomi won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Silver Back. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A frustrated look appears on Gomi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gomi tries to break free but Back pushes him back against the cage.
Back drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gomi gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Back has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gomi is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Back can't get the takedown.

Gomi manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Back moves in looking to clinch but Gomi pushes him off.
Back is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gomi.
Takanori Gomi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gomi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gomi throws a right hand that Back ducks under and follows up with a left that Back also avoids with ease.
Gomi keeps the fight on the outside.
Gomi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Back clinches with his opponent.
Back tries to score a body lock takedown but Gomi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gomi wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gomi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Back pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gomi looks for the body kick but Back saw that one coming.
Back avoids the head kick by Gomi.
Back throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gomi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Back has closed the distance and engaged Gomi in a clinch.

Back pulls guard successfully.
Back 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.
Gomi would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Back tries to strike from the bottom.
Back looking for a sweep. Not yet Back, not yet.
Back 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.
Back trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Gomi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Back's guard.
Gomi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Back bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gomi's guard.
Back won't allow Gomi to get back to his feet.
Back advances position into side control!
An elbow from Back crashes against the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gomi is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Back throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Silver Back dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Back lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Back blocks a head kick by Gomi.
Back takes one to the side of the head.
Gomi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Back displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Back tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gomi throws a right hand that Back ducks under and follows up with a left that Back also avoids with ease.
Back works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Gomi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Back is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Back lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nice uppercut lands for Back. That snapped Gomi's head back.
Back moves into range and connects with a jab.
Back fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gomi on the side of the head.
Back ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Back takes the fight into the clinch.

Back gets control of Gomi's arms and successfully pulls guard. Back will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Back is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Back throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Back scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Back stops Gomi from getting back to his feet.
Back trying to pass the guard but Gomi defending well.
Back 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.
Back lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Back thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gomi's head.
Back throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gomi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Back rushes Gomi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gomi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Back prevents Gomi from breaking the clinch.

Back decides to pull guard.
Gomi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Back's guard.
Back tries to strike from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi won't allow Back to sweep him here.
Back will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Back is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Back is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Back thows a huge punch but Gomi dodges it nicely.
Back thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ground and pound from Back.
Gomi is trying to stand up here but Back is controlling him well.
Back is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Back thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gomi's head.
Back is nestled in close to Gomi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Back blocks a head kick by Gomi.
Back with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Back throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gomi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Back takes the fight into the clinch.
Back jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Gomi walks away with a smile on his face. Back gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Gomi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gomi fakes the leg kick and cracks Back in the body.
Back fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gomi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Back gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Back breaks from the clinch.
Gomi tries a head kick but it misses.
Back tries to clinch but Gomi is having none of it.
Back lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Gomi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Some wild striking there from Back.
Gomi throws a nice looking combination but Back bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Gomi checks a leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Back.
Back misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Back wants to clinch.
Gomi stuns Back with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Gomi tries a head kick but it misses.
Back lands a jab to Gomi's midsection.
Gomi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Back rushes Gomi and presses him up against the cage.

Back jumps guard.
Back trying to strike off his back.
Back trying to strike off his back.
Back wants to sweep here but Gomi controlling him for the moment.
Gomi wants to stand but Back has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Silver Back showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Back, 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Silver Back!