PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juan Bartolome (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuri Gagarin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bartolome comes to the cage accompanied by We Will Rise. Yuri Gagarin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bartolome
vs
Gagarin

189 cm
21
263 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

190 cm
27
265 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Juan Bartolome!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuri Gagarin!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Hirohito Nitta and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gagarin on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bartolome goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bartolome scores with a jab.
Gagarin misses with an uppercut
and Bartolome counters with a stiff right hand.
Bartolome tries to clinch up.
Gagarin misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Bartolome to counter with a crisp jab.
Gagarin misses with a double jab
and Bartolome counters with a good low kick that Gagarin was not able to check.
Gagarin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bartolome counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gagarin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Bartolome counters by moving into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bartolome working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bartolome lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bartolome has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Gagarin avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gagarin takes an elbow to the forehead.

Bartolome escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gagarin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bartolome counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gagarin throws a combination that misses

and Bartolome holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartolome lands a shot to the body.

Gagarin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yuri Gagarin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sloppy strikes from Bartolome. Those never looked like landing.
Bartolome shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gagarin as he avoids it easily.
Gagarin lands a right hook to the body.
Bartolome looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gagarin uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bartolome has time to react.
Gagarin throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bartolome counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gagarin on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gagarin throws a left and a right that both miss
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Gagarin misses with a combination
and Bartolome counters with a three punch combo that has Gagarin backing up. Gagarin nods at Bartolome to acknowledge the strikes.
Gagarin looks gassed!
A low kick from Gagarin misses
and Bartolome counters with a solid body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Gagarin. No joy for Bartolome on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Bartolome. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gagarin throws a head kick that misses
and Bartolome counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gagarin's knee momentarily.
Bartolome lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bartolome tries to clinch but Gagarin is having none of it.
Yuri Gagarin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bartolome shoots in looking for a takedown but Gagarin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bartolome's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bartolome tries to clinch but Gagarin moves out of range.
Gagarin throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bartolome counters with a stiff right hand.
A low kick from Gagarin is predictable there
and Bartolome counters with a stiff right hand.
Bartolome throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gagarin's waist but Gagarin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bartolome off to one side.
Gagarin swings widly with a right hand

and Bartolome counters by clinching up.
Gagarin blocks an elbow strike from Bartolome.

Gagarin breaks from the clinch.
Gagarin throws a left and a right that both miss

and Bartolome counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bartolome.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Bartolome fails to land.
Gagarin blocks the elbow strike.
Bartolome lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gagarin.
Bartolome looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bartolome taking a breather.
Bartolome landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Bartolome lands a nice elbow.

Bartolome has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Gagarin regains guard immediately.
Bartolome looking to pass the guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bartolome is on top in guard.
Bartolome wants to stand but Gagarin has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Bartolome wants to pass the guard but Gagarin is keeping the position.

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

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Bartolome isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Gagarin stacks Bartolome on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Gagarin!

Gagarin has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Gagarin falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bartolome counters with a slapping leg kick.
Gagarin misses with a combination
and Bartolome counters with a nice uppercut.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Bartolome has managed to clinch.
Bartolome taking a breather.
A nice left hand lands by Bartolome.
Gagarin blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Bartolome escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gagarin throws an off balance right hand
and Bartolome counters with a solid body kick.
A solid body kick from Bartolome.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gagarin throws a lazy uppercut

and Bartolome counters with a takedown into side control.

Bartolome is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gagarin is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Bartolome trying to control the action but Gagarin is working from the bottom.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Bartolome is really struggling to control Gagarin but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Gagarin regains half guard there - taking advantage of Bartolome's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

Bartolome is looking for a kimura here.

Bartolome seems to be working for a kimura but Gagarin defends the submission attempt.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Bartolome seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Gagarin has recovered full guard.
Gagarin is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Bartolome has gone for a leg lock! Gagarin slips out almost immediately though and dives into Bartolome's guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Bartolome is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gagarin is aware though and is defending well.
Bartolome can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gagarin controls the pace.

Bartolome working for a triangle but Gagarin defends it easily.
Gagarin trying to control the position from guard on top but Bartolome is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Bartolome dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gagarin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bartolome cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gagarin throws a lazy body kick
and Bartolome counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Bartolome works over Gagarin's head and body with a nice combination.
Gagarin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Gagarin throws a lazy uppercut

and Bartolome counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bartolome.

Bartolome breaks the clinch.
Gagarin throws a left and a right that both miss

and Bartolome counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bartolome.
Bartolome tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bartolome lands an uppercut.
Bartolome lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gagarin backwards.
Bartolome lands a hook that snaps the head of Gagarin backwards.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bartolome lands an elbow that stopped Gagarin in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Yuri Gagarin has been cut.
Gagarin takes a shot to the head.
Bartolome pushes Gagarin back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bartolome throws a punch but it's blocked by Gagarin.
Gagarin is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartolome prevents Gagarin from breaking the clinch.
Bartolome trying to land knees to the body.
Gagarin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bartolome lands a body punch.
A nice left hand lands by Bartolome.
Bartolome trying to land knees to the body.

Bartolome breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bartolome is looking to clinch but Gagarin is avoiding it.
Gagarin misses with a jab to the body
and Bartolome counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gagarin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bartolome is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gagarin can do to turn this around?
Gagarin throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bartolome connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Bartolome clinches with his opponent.
Gagarin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bartolome throws a head punch that misses.
Gagarin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bartolome misses with an elbow strike.
Gagarin takes an elbow to the temple.
Bartolome goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gagarin prevents it.

Gagarin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bartolome falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bartolome takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bartolome avoids the head kick by Gagarin.
Gagarin thows a leg kick but Bartolome checks it

and Bartolome counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Bartolome is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Bartolome looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bartolome tries to score a body lock takedown but Gagarin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bartolome tries a body shot but Gagarin blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagarin takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bartolome swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bartolome misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gagarin stops a takedown attempt from Bartolome.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Bartolome. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bartolome tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gagarin's elbow.
Gagarin lands an uppercut.
Bartolome prevents Gagarin from breaking the clinch.
Bartolome pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Bartolome lands an elbow just above Gagarin 's eye.
Bartolome lands a right hand.
Bartolome misses with a punch to the body.
Bartolome throws an elbow that misses.
Gagarin fails to pull guard.
Bartolome misses with some punches.

Gagarin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Juan Bartolome is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gagarin swats away the attempt to clinch by Bartolome.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagarin throws an off balance right hand
and Bartolome counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Bartolome is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bartolome throws a series of punches but Gagarin avoids them all with ease.
Gagarin tries to land a body kick
and Bartolome cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gagarin lands a two punch combo.
Gagarin throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bartolome counters with a good low kick that Gagarin was not able to check.
Gagarin throws a right hand that misses

and Bartolome counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Bartolome seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Gagarin has recovered full guard.
Gagarin manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Bartolome keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Bartolome tries to control the position but Gagarin now has his back.
Bartolome can't escape the position.
Gagarin not allowing Bartolome to control his hands.
You can see the frustration on Bartolome's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bartolome just trying to survive but Gagarin is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Bartolome is really stuck here.
Gagarin softening up his opponent with strikes here.
You can see the frustration on Bartolome's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Gagarin doesn't have the hooks in and Bartolome manages to turn into his guard.

Bartolome stands up from Gagarin's guard - Bartolome perhaps looking for a knockout.
Bartolome slips a jab and a cross from Gagarin.
The fighters circling - Gagarin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Bartolome looks to land a combination but Gagarin avoids it well.
Gagarin throws a leg kick that is checked
and Gagarin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gagarin, right into the meat.
Gagarin throws a combination that misses
and Bartolome counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Bartolome moves in looking to clinch but Gagarin pushes him off.
Gagarin throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bartolome makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Bartolome cracks the inside of Gagarin's front leg.
A solid body kick from Gagarin.
Juan Bartolome is winning the standup battle so far.
Gagarin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gagarin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Bartolome counters by moving into the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bartolome just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gagarin's brow.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Bartolome misses with an elbow over the top.
Gagarin gets underhooks to prevent Bartolome's takedown attempt.
Bartolome pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Bartolome is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gagarin pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Gagarin is trying to break the clinch but Bartolome is controlling him.
Bartolome misses with a punch on the inside.
Bartolome tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gagarin's elbow.
Bartolome has had enough of the clinch but Gagarin keeps him there for the moment.
Gagarin has had enough of the clinch but Bartolome keeps him there for the moment.

Gagarin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gagarin throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bartolome counters with a stiff right hand.
Bartolome moves in looking to clinch but Gagarin pushes him off.
Gagarin misses with a left hand
and Bartolome counters with a nice leg kick.
Gagarin misses with a body shot
and Bartolome counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bartolome looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gagarin throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Bartolome to counter with a crisp jab.
Gagarin misses with a double jab
and Bartolome counters with a solid body kick.
Bartolome lands a jab to the head.
Bartolome looks to land a combination but Gagarin avoids it well.
Gagarin throws a sloppy body shot

and Bartolome counters by moving into the clinch.
Bartolome content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Bartolome trying to control the position but instead, Gagarin has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bartolome into the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bartolome scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Yuri Gagarin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Juan Bartolome is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A short right from Gagarin on the inside.
Gagarin misses with a hook from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juan Bartolome showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bartolome has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Juan Bartolome!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Juan Bartolome!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Juan Bartolome!

Juan Bartolome wins by unanimous decision!