PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Gonzaga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorik Vartanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gonzaga has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Gonzaga
vs
Vartanov

188 cm
25
254 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
24
265 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gabriel Gonzaga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jorik Vartanov!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Vladimir Khabensky and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vartanov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gonzaga is breathing heavily.
Vartanov misses with a body kick.

Vartanov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Vartanov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
I looks like Vartanov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Vartanov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Vartanov stands up from Gonzaga's guard - Vartanov perhaps looking for a knockout.

Vartanov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vartanov is in close to Gonzaga's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Vartanov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Vartanov moves into range and clinches up with Gonzaga.
Gonzaga can't get the takedown.
A frustrated look appears on Vartanov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Vartanov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Gonzaga is trying to keep an underhook but Vartanov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Vartanov working the head and body with strikes.
Vartanov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Vartanov postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Gonzaga to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vartanov throws a push kick but Gonzaga slaps the foot to one side.
Gonzaga misses with a takedown

and Vartanov counters by clinching up.
Gonzaga has Vartanov pressed against the cage, preventing Vartanov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gonzaga could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
A frustrated look appears on Vartanov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Vartanov manages to break the clinch.
Vartanov throws a combination. Gonzaga tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Gabriel Gonzaga has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Vartanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A combination from Vartanov does no damage.
Jab from Vartanov.
Vartanov throws a combination. Gonzaga tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vartanov throws a one two combo.
Gonzaga takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Vartanov connects with a right hand. Gonzaga shakes it off.
Vartanov digs a good hook to Gonzaga's body.
Vartanov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Vartanov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Vartanov throws a head kick that misses.
Vartanov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Gonzaga cracks the inside of Vartanov's front leg.
A low kick from Vartanov is predictable there
and Gonzaga counters with a nice body kick.
Vartanov throws a sloppy head kick and Gonzaga moves out of range easily.

Vartanov takes the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vartanov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gonzaga has him pressed against the cage.
Gonzaga wants to stall.
A frustrated look appears on Vartanov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gonzaga jumps guard but Vartanov stands there with Gonzaga around his waist. Gonzaga gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gabriel Gonzaga. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vartanov is trying to break the clinch but Gonzaga has him pressed against the cage.
Vartanov is trying to break the clinch but Gonzaga is controlling him.
Vartanov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gonzaga has him pressed against the cage.
Vartanov is trying to break the clinch but Gonzaga is controlling him.
Gonzaga fails to pull the fight into his guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gonzaga fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Vartanov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gonzaga has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Vartanov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorik Vartanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gabriel Gonzaga's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Vartanov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gonzaga is trying to defend but Vartanov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Vartanov moves nicely into side control.
Gonzaga takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Vartanov cracks Gonzaga with a big right hand but Gonzaga just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vartanov taking a breather here.
Gonzaga tries to buck Vartanov off but Vartanov is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vartanov tries to advance to mount but Gonzaga denies him.
Vartanov lands an elbow.
Gonzaga is pushing Vartanov's head away, looking to escape. Vartanov manages to hold on to the position though.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Vartanov decides to stand back up.

Vartanov takes the fight into the clinch.

Vartanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vartanov works over Gonzaga's head and body with a nice combination.

Vartanov gets a clinch.
Vartanov is trying to push Gonzaga away but Gonzaga has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Vartanov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gonzaga has him pressed against the cage.
Vartanov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Vartanov tries to break the clinch but Gonzaga is controlling the position.
Vartanov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vartanov working hard to break the clinch.
Vartanov tries to break free but Gonzaga pushes him back against the cage.
Gonzaga fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Vartanov breaks the clinch.

Vartanov clinches up against the cage.
Gonzaga can't get the takedown.
Vartanov is looking to break free of the clinch but Gonzaga has double underhooks.

Vartanov pulls guard.
Gonzaga throws a big right hand that misses.

Gonzaga postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Vartanov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gonzaga, into his guard.

Vartanov stands and steps away. Gonzaga gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vartanov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Gonzaga fails with the takedown

and Vartanov counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gabriel Gonzaga. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gonzaga is letting Vartanov control him for a moment.
Gonzaga is trying to improve his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gonzaga is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Vartanov is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorik Vartanov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Gabriel Gonzaga's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Vartanov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gonzaga stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Vartanov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Vartanov lands with a nice combination. Gonzaga backs away looking to recover.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Gonzaga checks a leg kick.

Vartanov shoots in and bounces Gonzaga off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gonzaga can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Vartanov controls the pace.

Gonzaga has his foot on Vartanov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Vartanov works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vartanov stays in close to Gonzaga's body and controls the position.
Vartanov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gonzaga 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.
Vartanov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jorik Vartanov wasn't active enough on the ground.
Vartanov lands a nice hook to Gonzaga's body. Gonzaga takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Vartanov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gonzaga tries to clinch up

and Vartanov moves into the clinch.

Vartanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vartanov is looking to land body kicks.
A leg kick checked by Vartanov.

Vartanov scores with a takedown into Gonzaga's guard.
Gonzaga is looking to sweep but instead, Vartanov has passed into half guard.
Gonzaga tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Vartanov has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzaga tries to hold on but Vartanov pushes him away.
Vartanov controlling from the full mount.
Jorik Vartanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vartanov avoids the attempt from Gonzaga to control.

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.
Vartanov controlling from the full mount.
Vartanov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jorik Vartanov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Gonzaga throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jorik Vartanov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vartanov 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 24:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 24:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jorik Vartanov!