PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mark Gambacorto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sim Salabim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Gambacorto
vs
Salabim

173 cm
25
168 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

180 cm
24
170 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mark Gambacorto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sim Salabim!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Sano and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salabim jabs Gambacorto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Gambacorto moves into range and connects with a jab.
Salabim misses with an uppercut. Gambacorto saw that one coming.
Salabim shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gambacorto pinned against the cage. Gambacorto gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gambacorto slips under a jab.
Salabim misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gambacorto.
Salabim tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gambacorto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Salabim somewhat.
Gambacorto fails with an attempt to clinch.
No joy there for Gambacorto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gambacorto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gambacorto keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mark Gambacorto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sim Salabim.

Salabim throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gambacorto tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Salabim is in Gambacorto's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambacorto is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gambacorto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gambacorto is looking to stand up but Salabim isn't so interested in that idea.
Salabim landing some decent shots from guard.
Salabim loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Salabim not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Salabim pushes down on Gambacorto's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Salabim not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salabim throwing shots but Gambacorto is blocking nicely.
Salabim wants to pass the guard but Gambacorto is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salabim missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Salabim prevents Gambacorto from standing back up.
Salabim thows a huge punch but Gambacorto dodges it nicely.
Salabim throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Salabim missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Salabim is trying to control the action in half guard but Gambacorto is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gambacorto wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salabim throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gambacorto avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Salabim.
Salabim is looking to take a break and control but Gambacorto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gambacorto is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Salabim scores with a couple of nice shots.
Salabim looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Gambacorto is looking for a sweep. Salabim is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Salabim not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Salabim thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Salabim not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Salabim missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gambacorto is not content to let Salabim control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salabim is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Salabim has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Salabim thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
A nice elbow there by Salabim.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Salabim fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Salabim lands a big elbow.
Salabim thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Salabim punishing his opponent with strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gambacorto in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Salabim pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Gambacorto is rocked!
Salabim loads up on a couple of big shots to the head that have Gambacorto scrambling to escape. He can't get free though and several more unanswered shots from Salabim land to the head. The referee has no choice but to stop the fight. Salabim stands and salutes the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Sim Salabim!
Sim Salabim is the new lightweight champion!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Sim Salabim made sure he mentioned [JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition Q160 Recovery, along with how happy he was to win his fight.