PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Flavius Aetius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arturo Gatti III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gatti III has chosen Black Milk & Royce 5'9 - Losing out as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Aetius
vs
Gatti III

178 cm
26
161 lbs
17 - 4 - 1

172 cm
25
164 lbs
15 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Rōnin
Rōnin

Legal High's [CBK]
Legal High's [CBK]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Flavius Aetius!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Arturo Gatti III!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Ian Loll and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gatti III connects with a crisp jab.
Gatti III throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gatti III missing with a left hand there. Aetius was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gatti III dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Aetius. That did some damage!
Gatti III throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gatti III misses the shot to the body.
Gatti III tries to clinch there but Aetius circles away.
Aetius will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gatti III avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Aetius thows a leg kick but Gatti III checks it
and Gatti III counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A head kick misses from Aetius.
Arturo Gatti III is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti III throws a leg kick
and Aetius makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Gatti III really felt that one!
Gatti III throws a head kick that misses.
Gatti III takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Arturo Gatti III seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aetius keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Good work by Gatti III as he checks the leg kick.

Gatti III has taken the fight to the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Gatti III.
Gatti III swings wildly with an uppercut but Aetius uses good head movement to avoid it.
A left hand lands to the body for Gatti III.
Gatti III can't find room to land a body shot as Aetius controls the action.
Aetius is trying to drag Gatti III to the mat but Gatti III just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aetius blocks an uppercut.
Aetius drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gatti III gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Flavius Aetius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gatti III struggles to land a body shot inside as Aetius controls his hands.
Gatti III misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gatti III lands a body shot in the clinch.
Gatti III throws a head punch that misses.
Aetius is trying to drag Gatti III to the mat but Gatti III just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Aetius blocks an elbow strike.
Aetius has Gatti III pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gatti III manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III scores with a shot to the side of Aetius's head.
Gatti III lands an uppercut.
Aetius has Gatti III pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gatti III manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Gatti III scores with a shoulder strike.
Gatti III misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right from Gatti III on the inside.
Gatti III doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gatti III misses with an elbow strike.
Aetius wants a takedown.
Gatti III lands a hook to the side of the head.
Aetius prevents a body shot from Gatti III.
Gatti III prevents the takedown attempt.

Gatti III breaks from the clinch.
Gatti III throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Aetius sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gatti III tries to close the distance and clinch up but Aetius swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III lands the left hand.
Aetius avoids the head kick by Gatti III.
Gatti III throws a leg kick but Aetius sees it coming and moves out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Aetius blocks the leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aetius shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Gatti III ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aetius moves away.
Gatti III misses with a body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gatti III misses with a leg kick
and Aetius counters with a good low kick that Gatti III was not able to check.
Aetius takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arturo Gatti III dominated that round.
That's time! Aetius's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Aetius moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Aetius moves out of range as Gatti III throws a body kick.
Gatti III tries to land a leg kick but Aetius saw it coming and moves away.
Gatti III tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aetius was well out of range. Poor timing from Gatti III.
Gatti III stuns Aetius with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Flavius Aetius is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aetius lands with a kick to the temple. Gatti III shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Gatti III moves out of range as Aetius throws a body kick.
Aetius throws a head kick that half lands.
Aetius pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Aetius throws a solid leg kick but Gatti III takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Aetius.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aetius looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Aetius tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aetius misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gatti III throws a sloppy head kick and Aetius moves out of range easily.
Gatti III fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aetius manages to avoid it.
Gatti III moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Aetius tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gatti III sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Aetius somewhat.
A slapping leg kick lands for Gatti III.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III pivots, looking for a leg kick but Aetius is out of range and Gatti III settles back down.
Gatti III scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Gatti III blocks a low kick nicely.
Gatti III throws a body punch but Aetius moves out of range.
Aetius avoids the head kick by Gatti III.
Aetius moves out of range as Gatti III throws a body kick.
Gatti III ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aetius moves away.
Aetius takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Gatti III.
Gatti III throws a front kick aimed at Aetius's knee but Aetius avoids it well.
Gatti III looks to land a left hand but Aetius moved out of range nicely.
Gatti III misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aetius.
Gatti III throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Aetius wants to slow Gatti III down by chopping away at his legs.
Arturo Gatti III seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gatti III tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Aetius manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gatti III has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Aetius.
Gatti III jabs Aetius right on the nose. Aetius blinks but takes it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III misses with an uppercut
and Aetius counters with a good low kick that Gatti III was not able to check.
Aetius tries a head kick but it misses.
Gatti III keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Aetius doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gatti III counters with a big head kick but Aetius shrugs it off.
Gatti III tried to score with a low kick but Aetius checks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aetius steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gatti III.
Aetius connects with a leg kick. Gatti III looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arturo Gatti III showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Aetius's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Aetius misses with a low kick as Gatti III jumps back.
Gatti III chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Gatti III moves to clinch but Aetius breaks away
and Aetius counters with a good low kick that Gatti III was not able to check.
A bone on bone clash there as Aetius blocks the leg kick.
Gatti III misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gatti III takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Gatti III swings for the body but Aetius moves out of range.
Nice body punch from Gatti III.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti III takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Aetius shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Aetius stops Gatti III from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aetius lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Aetius thows a huge punch but Gatti III dodges it nicely.
Aetius is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Gatti III!
Aetius can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gatti III is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aetius throwing strikes but Gatti III recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Gatti III tries to kick Aetius off but Aetius keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Aetius throwing shots but Gatti III is blocking nicely.
Aetius is keen to just control but Gatti III is a slippery customer.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aetius looks to land a strike but Gatti III avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aetius trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gatti III wants to get back to his feet but Aetius passes into half guard.

Aetius is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gatti III defends it well.
Gatti III pushes Aetius off looking to stand but Aetius dives back in and keeps control.

Gatti III is defending against the submission attempts here by Aetius.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aetius is trying to control the action in half guard but Gatti III is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gatti III pushes Aetius off looking to stand but Aetius dives back in and keeps control.
Aetius content to control rather than advance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Aetius is working for a kimura but Gatti III is defending it quite comfortably.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Flavius Aetius clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Aetius gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gatti III.
Gatti III tries to land a body kick
and Aetius counters with a low kick, right behind Gatti III 's knee.
Gatti III jabs at Aetius's body.
Gatti III lands with a nice body punch.
Aetius tries to move into range but Gatti III moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Aetius fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aetius takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Gatti III ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aetius moves away.
Gatti III catches Aetius with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Gatti III throws a solid leg kick but Aetius takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gatti III.
Gatti III throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gatti III is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Aetius.

Gatti III closes the distance and pushes Aetius back into the cage.
Aetius goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gatti III prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III lands a right hand.
Aetius drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gatti III gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Flavius Aetius. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gatti III escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aetius moves out of range of the body kick from Gatti III.
Gatti III throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gatti III tries to close the distance and clinch up but Aetius swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gatti III doesn't manage to clinch there - Aetius circles away.
Gatti III misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III misses with a head kick.
Aetius takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Aetius connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Gatti III misses with a low kick.
Aetius fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Gatti III is out of range.
Gatti III throws a right and a left that both miss.

Gatti III gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Arturo Gatti III seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gatti III can't find room to land a body shot as Aetius controls the action.
Gatti III is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Aetius is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III pushes Aetius back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gatti III struggles to land a body shot inside as Aetius controls his hands.
Aetius can't get the takedown.

Gatti III breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gatti III lands with a nice body punch.
Gatti III is looking to chop away at Aetius's legs.
Gatti III wants to clinch up but Aetius keeps it at a distance.
Aetius shoots in but no luck this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gatti III tries to close the distance and clinch up but Aetius swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gatti III tries to clinch up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arturo Gatti III dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

A head kick from Aetius lands but Gatti III takes it in his stride.
Gatti III throws a head kick that misses.
Aetius looks for a takedown but Gatti III sprawls well.
Gatti III tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A big right from Gatti III misses.
Aetius dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gatti III. That did some damage!
Aetius throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Gatti III clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti III misses with a hook to the ribs.
Aetius blocks an uppercut.
Gatti III lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gatti III throws a head punch that misses.

Gatti III breaks from the clinch.
Aetius throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gatti III's head.
Gatti III throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Aetius sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Aetius shoots in and drives through. Gatti III sprawls well.
Gatti III looks to score with a jab to the body but Aetius is just out of range.
Aetius takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aetius.
Aetius shoots in looking for a takedown but Gatti III manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Aetius's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Flavius Aetius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gatti III misses the shot to the body.
Gatti III checks a leg kick.
Aetius blocks a leg kick.

Gatti III clinches.

Gatti III breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Aetius shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gatti III but Gatti III pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gatti III lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aetius moves out of range of the body kick.
Gatti III connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A low kick from Aetius is predictable there
and Gatti III counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Aetius keeps the fight on the outside.
Aetius walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gatti III lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aetius at a distance.
Gatti III swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III lands with a good body shot.
Aetius looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gatti III wants to clinch.
Aetius throws a quick inside leg kick.
Flavius Aetius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gatti III tries to clinch up
and Aetius counters with a nice kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arturo Gatti III comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gatti III 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 46:49
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arturo Gatti III!
Arturo Gatti III is the new lightweight champion!