PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Javier Gattuso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gattuso comes into the arena with DMX - X Gonna Give It To Ya blaring out of the sound system. Mike Black told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Gattuso
vs
Black

194 cm
23
212 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

185 cm
25
215 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Fight Club Clothing™
Fight Club Clothing™

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Javier Gattuso!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Black!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Black blocks a leg kick.
Gattuso misses the shot to the body.
Gattuso throws a lazy head kick
and Black makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gattuso fails with the takedown.
Gattuso shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Black defends it nicely.
A slapping leg kick lands for Black.
Gattuso shoots in but Black avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Javier Gattuso. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Black takes the fight into the clinch.
Gattuso tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Black smiles and moves away.
Black misses with a body kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Black.
A looping hook to the body misses from Black. Gattuso does a little dance to reset his feet.
Black throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso misses with a combination
and Black counters with a thumping low kick.
Gattuso throws a head kick that misses
and Black counters with a low kick, right behind Gattuso 's knee.
Black tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Black lands a leg kick that knocks Gattuso off balance momentarily.
Black throws a series of punches but Gattuso avoids them all with ease.
Crunch! Gattuso slams his shin into Black's torso.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Gattuso misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black throws a right hand that Gattuso ducks under and follows up with a left that Gattuso also avoids with ease.
Gattuso tries a head kick but it misses.
Black tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Gattuso fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Black checks it well.
Gattuso throws a sloppy head kick and Black moves out of range easily.
Black on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Gattuso. Gattuso obviously looking to wear him down.
Black looks gassed!
Black throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Gattuso throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Black's waist but Black gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gattuso off to one side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso looks to throw the jab but Black is out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Black.
Gattuso throws a body punch but Black moves out of range.
Black takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

It looks like Mike Black has been cut.
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!
Black throws a leg kick but Gattuso moved away.
Gattuso misses with a series of wild punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gattuso throws a one two combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Javier Gattuso dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Black's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gattuso closes the distance and clinches up with Black, looking for a takedown. Gattuso pushes Black against the cage but Black circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Black ducks under a wild hook from Gattuso.
Gattuso misses with a takedown attempt
and Black makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Gattuso blocks a head kick by Black.
Javier Gattuso is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Black throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gattuso.
Gattuso swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Black.
Black tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gattuso swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Black misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black throws a leg kick but Gattuso sees it coming and moves out of range.
Black misses with a head kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Black.
Javier Gattuso is winning the standup battle so far.
Black lands a leg kick that knocks Gattuso off balance momentarily.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Black.
Nice shot by Gattuso.
Gattuso ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Good work by Gattuso as he checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gattuso is defended easily by Black.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Javier Gattuso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Black misses with a low kick.
Gattuso is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gattuso misses with a hook. Black ducked under it nicely.
Nice takedown defense from Black. No joy for Gattuso on that attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gattuso misses with a wild body shot.
Black avoids the head kick by Gattuso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Black throws a shot to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Black.
Gattuso keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Black bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gattuso misses with a head kick.
Gattuso avoids the body shot from Black.
Black moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Black is looking to clinch.
Black throws a low kick but it's checked well by Gattuso.
Gattuso looks to score with a jab to the body but Black is just out of range.
Black fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Black slips under a jab from Gattuso.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Black looks to land a right hand but Gattuso moved out of range.
Black is looking to slow Gattuso down with leg kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Black showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mike Black's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Black throws a nice head kick!
A punch combination from Gattuso misses.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Black lands a nice leg kick that just misses Gattuso's sensitive parts.
Black lands a nice leg kick that just misses Gattuso's sensitive parts.
Black lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gattuso at a distance.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Black lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Gattuso has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Gattuso and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Black throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Black pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gattuso shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Gattuso dives in and grabs Black's left leg, looking for a takedown. Black pushes down on Gattuso's head and hops out.
Gattuso tries for a takedown but Black circles away easily
and Black counters with a low kick, right behind Gattuso 's knee.
Black is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gattuso rather than just go for the knockout.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Black ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Black forces Gattuso back against the cage and clinches.
Gattuso wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Javier Gattuso. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gattuso's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Black tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Gattuso misses.
Gattuso tries to score with a low kick but Black moves his leg out of the way.
Black lands a head kick!
A good leg kick by Gattuso.
Gattuso keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Black throws a sloppy head kick and Gattuso moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gattuso lands with a slapping head kick.
Mike Black is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gattuso fails with a takedown attempt.
Gattuso throws a head kick that misses.
Black ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Black shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That has opened up Mike Black's cut even more.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gattuso walks into a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso misses with a head kick.
Gattuso avoids the head kick by Black.
Jab by Black.
Black bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Gattuso moves out of range of the leg kick from Black.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gattuso misses with a double jab.
Black misses with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Mike Black just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Mike Black's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gattuso misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gattuso fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gattuso connects with a body shot that sends Black's belly button to the back.
A head kick by Black misses
and Gattuso counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Black misses with a low kick.
Black plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black throws a leg kick that misses.
Gattuso swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Black.
Nice body punch from Gattuso.
Gattuso with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Black is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Black dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gattuso throws a left and a right that both miss

and Black counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Javier Gattuso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gattuso is looking to break free of the clinch but Black has double underhooks.
Gattuso tries to score a body lock takedown but Black shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Black taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Gattuso fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Black scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gattuso tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Black just stands there and leans against the cage.

Black breaks the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gattuso throws a body punch but Black moves out of range.
Black keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Black is looking to slow Gattuso down with leg kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso fails with the takedown
and Black counters with a slapping leg kick.
Black ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gattuso misses with a double jab
and Black counters with an inside leg kick.
Black lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Gattuso takes a swing at Black's ribcage but misses.
Black throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso walks into a left hand.
Black cracks the inside of Gattuso's front leg.

Black gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Black slowing the pace effectively.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Black misses with a shot to the kidneys.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gattuso tries to pull guard but Black holds him up against the cage and eventually Gattuso drops back down to his feet.
Black can't find room to land a body shot as Gattuso controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Black dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Mike Black's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Black, right into the meat.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Black, right into the meat.
Gattuso throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gattuso throws a head kick but Black moves out of range.
Black turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Black moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Black throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Gattuso looks for the body kick but Black saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gattuso looks to land a combination. Black sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A looping hook to the body misses from Black. Gattuso does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gattuso slips under a jab from Black.
Black with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Black has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gattuso jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Black walks away with a smile on his face. Gattuso gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Black throws a looping overhand right but Gattuso ducks down to avoid it.
Gattuso shoots for a takedown but Black saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso lands a two punch combo.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Gattuso shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Black pinned against the cage. Black gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Javier Gattuso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Black dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
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!

Black moves into the clinch.
Gattuso jumps guard but Black stands there with Gattuso around his waist. Gattuso gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gattuso.

Black manages to break the clinch.
Javier Gattuso has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Black lands a nice looking kick to the body. Gattuso takes a step back to recover.

Black moves into the clinch.
Mike Black is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Gattuso prevents a body shot from Black.
Black scores with a hook to the body.
Gattuso fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Black smiles and moves away.
That kick from Black tenderised Gattuso's leg. Gattuso is trying to keep his angry face on.

Black closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Black prevents the takedown attempt.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Gattuso. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Black breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gattuso scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Black lands with a hook. Gattuso tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Black comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Black 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 46:49
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Black!
Mike Black is the new light heavyweight champion!