PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jose Mata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Gaines (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jose Mata had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 172.4lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mata
vs
Gaines

174 cm
28
185 lbs
11 - 6 - 1

170 cm
25
174 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Good knees
Big right hand

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
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 11 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jose Mata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bob Gaines!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gaines misses with a takedown attempt - Mata sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Mata drives through and clinches with Gaines against the cage.
Gaines drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mata pulls his leg out and moves away.
Gaines ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mata scores with a jab to the head.
Mata moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gaines is defended easily by Mata.
Jose Mata has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bob Gaines.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gaines.
Mata scores with a body shot.

Gaines shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Mata's guard.
Gaines throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaines stops Mata from standing up.
Mata utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gaines stopping the sweep attempt from Mata.
Mata utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mata is on top in guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gaines can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mata trying to control the position from guard on top but Gaines is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gaines avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mata wants to get up but he can't break Gaines's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mata throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mata accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mata thows a big elbow that misses.
Mata preventing the sweep.
Mata trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mata trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mata landing some decent shots from guard.
Mata is breathing heavily.
Mata is looking to stand up but Gaines won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Mata 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.
Gaines is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mata punching from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Gaines there.
Gaines working over Mata with some ground and pound. Mata looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gaines looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mata with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ground and pound from Gaines.
Gaines working Mata over with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jose Mata will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gaines fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mata sprawls well initially but Gaines persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mata is pressing down on Gaines's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Mata will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Gaines is working Mata over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gaines distracts Mata with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gaines stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mata swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gaines working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gaines throws a big right hand that misses.
Gaines is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gaines lands a couple of elbows.
Gaines postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mata wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gaines chips away with some ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mata throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Mata has momentary wrist control but Gaines slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaines lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mata looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gaines is one step ahead there.
Gaines keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mata's head.
Mata 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.
Mata striking off his back but it's not causing Gaines any problems.
Gaines content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gaines postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gaines stopping the sweep attempt from Mata.
Gaines postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gaines trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gaines keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mata's head.
Mata is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gaines landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaines chips away with some ground and pound.
Gaines working some strikes from top position.
Gaines is working Mata over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Gaines postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gaines keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mata's head.
Mata has momentary wrist control but Gaines slips an elbow through the middle.

Mata is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Gaines has Mata pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mata manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Gaines goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mata prevents it.
Mata softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Gaines drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mata gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Jose Mata has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bob Gaines.
Gaines's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A left hand lands to the body for Mata.
Gaines is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gaines has Mata pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Gaines pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Mata tumbling to the mat - Gaines dives into Mata's guard.
Gaines with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mata wants to stand up but Gaines is controlling him.
Gaines landing with the ground and pound.
Gaines with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gaines chips away with some ground and pound.
Gaines is in close to Mata's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gaines landing with the ground and pound.
Mata wants to sweep but no luck.
Gaines stands up over Mata, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gaines throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaines with a nice head shot there.

Mata pushes Gaines off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Gaines shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mata as he avoids it easily.
Gaines slips a straight right by Mata.
Gaines ducks under a wild hook from Mata.
Mata throws a right and a left that both miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Gaines showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Mata throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Mata closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Mata manages to break the clinch.
Mata tries to clinch up.
Mata tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mata scores with a three punch combo!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Gaines closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Mata did well to prevent Gaines getting side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaines lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Mata taking some punishment here, with Gaines in his half guard.
Gaines landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Gaines seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Mata is trying to stand back up but Gaines is controlling him
Gaines working over Mata with some ground and pound. Mata looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Gaines really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mata. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gaines slips a nice elbow through Mata's hands, connecting with Mata's forehead.
Gaines is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gaines connects with a nice short shot to Mata's temple.
Gaines looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gaines is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Gaines lands strikes from half guard.
Mata wants to control but Gaines is keeping busy.
Gaines is nestled in close to Mata, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaines winds up and cracks Mata with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Mata won't allow Gaines to pass to mount.
Mata pushes Gaines off looking to stand but Gaines dives back in and keeps control.
Gaines looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mata with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Gaines prevents Mata from standing back up.
Gaines is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Mata looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gaines is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Gaines seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Mata is trying to stand back up but Gaines is controlling him
Gaines lands strikes from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaines looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mata with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Mata tries to get to full guard but Gaines has control of the leg.
Mata is trying to stand.
Gaines lands strikes from half guard.
Mata wants to get back to his feet.
Gaines is nestled in close to Mata, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Mata on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Mata landing strikes from the bottom.
Mata taking some punishment here, with Gaines in his half guard.
Gaines 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.
Mata looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mata is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gaines's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gaines's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mata missing with punches from the back.
Mata misses with an elbow to the head.
Mata trying to control momentarily.
Gaines is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Mata missing with strikes from the back.
Gaines covering up well and avoiding damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bob Gaines comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gaines has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Gaines!