PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joao Gabriel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and AJ Styles (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.

Gabriel
vs
Styles

178 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
23
171 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joao Gabriel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, AJ Styles!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Dmitry Maklakov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Styles fails to land the takedown.
Styles fails with a takedown attempt.
Styles shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gabriel as he jumps to the side.
Joao Gabriel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of AJ Styles.

Styles shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gabriel is trying to defend but Styles finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Gabriel tries to roll over but Styles keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gabriel is trying to control but Styles manages to pass to mount!

Gabriel bucks Styles off and manages to get back to his feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gabriel rushes Styles and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Styles has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Gabriel clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Gabriel prevents Styles from getting a body triangle.
Gabriel trying to control the position but Styles manages to sink in the hooks.
Styles doesn't have the hooks in and Gabriel manages to turn into his guard.
Gabriel is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Gabriel wants to control from the top but Styles keeps moving.
Gabriel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Styles swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gabriel trying to control but Styles is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Styles is defended easily by Gabriel.
Styles shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gabriel pinned against the cage. Gabriel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gabriel lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like AJ Styles has been cut.
Gabriel misses with a takedown attempt

and Styles counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gabriel won't be happy with that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel wants to control but Styles postures up.
Gabriel is looking for a sweep.
Styles trying to control the position but Gabriel is working away.

Styles is trying to get an arm triangle but Gabriel is defending well.

Styles tries for a kimura but Gabriel is defending well.
Styles looks gassed!
Styles just content to control the position.

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.
Gabriel tries to improve position but can't.
Styles is looking to take a break and control but Gabriel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gabriel manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but AJ Styles will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on AJ Styles's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gabriel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Gabriel shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Styles is looking for a sweep. Gabriel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Styles wants to control but Gabriel is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Styles is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Gabriel is staying active.
Gabriel is looking to take a break and control but Styles is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gabriel wants to free his trapped foot but Styles is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Still in half guard, Gabriel seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Styles regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Gabriel.
Gabriel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Styles tries for a takedown but Gabriel circles away easily

and Gabriel counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gabriel.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gabriel looking to pass the guard.
Gabriel is working hard here to advance position.
Styles has Gabriel pulled in close to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Styles wants to sweep but no luck.
Gabriel wanted to stand there but Styles had control of the position.
Styles preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Styles is adopting a defensive guard.

Styles looking for a guillotine here but Gabriel defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Styles trying to keep a closed guard but Gabriel is proving a slippery customer.
Gabriel pushing down on Styles's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Styles looking for submissions off his back.

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.
Gabriel is trying to control the action in half guard but Styles is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gabriel trying to pass the guard but Styles defending well.
Styles is not content to let Gabriel control the position.
Styles slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Styles working for a triangle but Gabriel defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Gabriel dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on AJ Styles's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Gabriel with a lazy takedown attempt

and Styles counters with a single leg into guard. Gabriel didn't expect that.
AJ Styles has got the better of the ground game so far.
Styles wants to control from the top but Gabriel keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gabriel is on top in guard.
Gabriel pushes down on Styles's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Styles preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Gabriel thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Styles is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Styles actively working from the bottom here.
Gabriel content to control rather than advance.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Styles trying to control but Gabriel postures up.
Styles gets full guard.
Styles can't keep his opponent in guard - Gabriel advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Styles wants to control but Gabriel is keeping busy.
Gabriel is looking to pass Styles's guard but actually Styles recovers to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel trying to control the position from guard on top but Styles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Styles pushes a forearm under Gabriel's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Gabriel is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). AJ Styles!