PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Manvel Gamburyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Willis McGenessy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gamburyan kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Gamburyan vs. Brown on April 24th. McGenessy has chosen Punch Out!!! as his entrance music. Manvel Gamburyan could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Willis McGenessy's chin.

Gamburyan
vs
McGenessy

165 cm
28
159 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

174 cm
21
157 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Manvel Gamburyan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Willis McGenessy!
The judges for this bout are , and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gamburyan misses with a takedown attempt
and Gamburyan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McGenessy lands a head kick!
Gamburyan stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McGenessy.
Gamburyan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gamburyan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McGenessy counters with a thumping low kick.
McGenessy works over Gamburyan's head and body with a nice combination.
McGenessy misses with a low kick.
Gamburyan has his takedown stuffed
and McGenessy counters with a two punch combo.

Gamburyan drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Gamburyan is looking to work some ground and pound but McGenessy has wrist control.
Gamburyan looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
McGenessy looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gamburyan is one step ahead there.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McGenessy can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gamburyan 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.
Gamburyan's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Manvel Gamburyan has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
McGenessy moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
McGenessy looks to land a combination but Gamburyan avoids it well.
McGenessy throws a combination. Gamburyan tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Gamburyan shoots in for a takedown but McGenessy shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manvel Gamburyan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gamburyan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The fight stays on the outside here - McGenessy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McGenessy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gamburyan has his takedown stuffed
and McGenessy counters with a head kick. That will keep Gamburyan thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Gamburyan fails with the takedown
and McGenessy counters with a series of strikes. Gamburyan will be more careful next time no doubt.
Gamburyan is breathing heavily.
McGenessy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gamburyan circles away quickly and effectively.
McGenessy stuffs the takedown.
McGenessy throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Gamburyan counters with a shoot takedown. McGenessy fights it but they end up in guard.
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!
Gamburyan trying to control but McGenessy is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McGenessy trying to control the position.

McGenessy kicks Gamburyan off and gets to his feet.
A right-left combo lands from McGenessy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gamburyan doesn't succeed with the takedown
and McGenessy counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gamburyan gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McGenessy makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
McGenessy fails to land with a series of punches.
McGenessy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gamburyan misses with a takedown
and McGenessy counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Gamburyan thinking.
Manvel Gamburyan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McGenessy lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Gamburyan doesn't succeed with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A combination from McGenessy does no damage.
McGenessy misses with the combination.
McGenessy misses with a double jab.
Gamburyan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McGenessy counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGenessy connects with a body shot that sends Gamburyan's belly button to the back.
Gamburyan with a lazy takedown attempt
and McGenessy counters with a three punch combo that has Gamburyan backing up. Gamburyan nods at McGenessy to acknowledge the strikes.
Gamburyan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McGenessy.
McGenessy goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Gamburyan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gamburyan lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
McGenessy throws a series of punches but Gamburyan avoids them all with ease.
Willis McGenessy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McGenessy wants to clinch.

Gamburyan 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gamburyan looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
McGenessy wants to stand but Gamburyan is controlling the position.
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 Manvel Gamburyan will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gamburyan shoots in for a takedown but McGenessy shows good takedown defense.
Gamburyan has his takedown stuffed
and McGenessy counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gamburyan's knee momentarily.
McGenessy lands with a nice combination. Gamburyan backs away looking to recover.
McGenessy lands with a thumping leg kick.
McGenessy rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gamburyan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McGenessy lands with a thumping leg kick.
Gamburyan misses with a takedown attempt

and McGenessy counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by McGenessy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manvel Gamburyan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGenessy lands a nice knee to the body.
Gamburyan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
McGenessy tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gamburyan avoids it.
A knee to the head by McGenessy.
Gamburyan wants to get back to striking at distance but McGenessy won't allow it.
McGenessy landing knees to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McGenessy controlling the action here for a moment.
McGenessy prevents a takedown attempt there.
McGenessy connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gamburyan's face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Come on McGenessy - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
McGenessy looking to throw knees to the head but Gamburyan is blocking nicely.
McGenessy prevents the takedown attempt.
McGenessy looking to stall.
Gamburyan changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McGenessy fights it off and pushes away nicely.
McGenessy pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Gamburyan back to the cage. McGenessy follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Gamburyan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

McGenessy clinches with his opponent.
McGenessy taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Gamburyan pulls guard.
McGenessy stopping the sweep attempt from Gamburyan.
McGenessy really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gamburyan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gamburyan working a defensive guard but McGenessy passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gamburyan works his way to full guard. Good work.
McGenessy must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gamburyan pulls McGenessy in to control the position.
Gamburyan lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for McGenessy!
Gamburyan scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish McGenessy?

Gamburyan has control of McGenessy's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and McGenessy regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gamburyan jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but McGenessy manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Gamburyan wants to control but McGenessy is keeping him busy.
Gamburyan is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt McGenessy will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Gamburyan working the ground and pound but McGenessy is defending the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
McGenessy looking for a sweep but Gamburyan has passed into full mount! Oh no!

Gamburyan is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But McGenessy has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from McGenessy!
Gamburyan trying to control the position.
McGenessy has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Gamburyan is proving hard to escape from.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Willis McGenessy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Gamburyan with a poor takedown
and McGenessy counters with a straight right hand.
McGenessy misses with the combination.
Gamburyan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Manvel Gamburyan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McGenessy turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
McGenessy throws a series of strikes that have Gamburyan backpedaling.

McGenessy has managed to clinch.
McGenessy landing knees to the body.
Gamburyan drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manvel Gamburyan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gamburyan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gamburyan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McGenessy counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McGenessy throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gamburyan misses with a combination
and McGenessy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McGenessy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gamburyan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGenessy misses with the combination.
McGenessy with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Willis McGenessy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gamburyan throws a nice looking combination but McGenessy bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McGenessy tries to bum rush Gamburyan with a series of wild strikes but Gamburyan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McGenessy fails to land with a series of punches.
Gamburyan misses with a takedown
and McGenessy counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
McGenessy fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McGenessy stalks Gamburyan and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Gamburyan's face. Gamburyan staggers backwards, shaken.
McGenessy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gamburyan.
Gamburyan misses with a double jab
and McGenessy counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gamburyan has his takedown stuffed
and McGenessy counters with a one-two to the body.

That's two 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.
McGenessy doesn't manage to clinch there - Gamburyan circles away.
McGenessy feints and then cracks Gamburyan's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Gamburyan down.
Gamburyan shoots in for a takedown but McGenessy shows good takedown defense.
McGenessy swinging wildly here.
McGenessy wants to clinch.
McGenessy stuffs the takedown.
McGenessy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gamburyan.
McGenessy scores with a hook to the body. Gamburyan takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gamburyan has his takedown stuffed
and McGenessy counters with a two punch combo.
McGenessy looks to land a combination but Gamburyan avoids it well.
Gamburyan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McGenessy swivels and escapes.
McGenessy throws a combination. Gamburyan tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGenessy misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gamburyan looks for a takedown but McGenessy sprawls well.
Gamburyan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McGenessy counters with a left to the body.
Gamburyan shoots and misses
and McGenessy counters with a left and a right that stings Gamburyan.
McGenessy misses with a two punch combination.
Gamburyan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
McGenessy looks to land a combination. Gamburyan sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
McGenessy is looking to clinch but Gamburyan is avoiding it.
Gamburyan throws a left and a right that both miss
and McGenessy counters with a low kick, right behind Gamburyan 's knee.
McGenessy turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Gamburyan cracks the inside of McGenessy's front leg.
No luck for Gamburyan with that takedown attempt.
Gamburyan tries to score a power double leg takedown but McGenessy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gamburyan somewhat.
McGenessy misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McGenessy keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
McGenessy slips a jab and a cross from Gamburyan.
McGenessy scores with a jab to the body.
McGenessy misses with a double jab

and Gamburyan counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for McGenessy!
Poor strikes thrown by Gamburyan there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Gamburyan controlling the pace for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Willis McGenessy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McGenessy 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Willis McGenessy!