PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Landon Gibbs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vrajesh Ponnaganti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gibbs comes to the cage accompanied by Never Scared- Bonecrusher. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Gibbs
vs
Ponnaganti

181 cm
22
148 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

171 cm
20
152 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

BC FightWear

Bushido Clothing
Berserker Nutrition

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Landon Gibbs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vrajesh Ponnaganti!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Reed Andrews and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gibbs closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Gibbs is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Ponnaganti is not content to let Gibbs control the position.
Gibbs missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ponnaganti wants to improve his position but Gibbs is controlling well.
Gibbs is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Gibbs is looking to advance position but Ponnaganti won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gibbs throwing shots but Ponnaganti is blocking nicely.

Ponnaganti is defending against the submission attempts here by Gibbs.
Gibbs 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gibbs shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ponnaganti as he jumps to the side.
Gibbs lands with a cross.
Gibbs really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Gibbs fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gibbs sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Ponnaganti takes the fight into the clinch.
Ponnaganti landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ponnaganti scores a nice knee to the body.
Gibbs is breathing heavily.
Knees to the body from Ponnaganti.
Ponnaganti landing knees to the body.
Ponnaganti lands an elbow inside that Gibbs shrugs off.
Ponnaganti unloads a knee to the mid-section. Gibbs lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponnaganti comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ponnaganti connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gibbs's face.
Ponnaganti lands an elbow inside.
Gibbs takes an elbow to the temple.
Ponnaganti comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ponnaganti lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ponnaganti comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Knees to the body from Ponnaganti.
Ponnaganti lands an elbow inside that Gibbs shrugs off.
Ponnaganti landing knees to the body.
Ponnaganti connects with a knee to the head.
Ponnaganti unloads a knee to the mid-section. Gibbs lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Ponnaganti landing knees to the body.
Gibbs looking for a takedown.
Gibbs is working for takedown but Ponnaganti is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Landon Gibbs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gibbs tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ponnaganti landing knees to the body.
Gibbs goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ponnaganti prevents it.
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!
Gibbs tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ponnaganti smiles and moves away.
Gibbs closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ponnaganti counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Gibbs is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Gibbs keeps the fight on the outside.
Ponnaganti misses with a double jab.

Gibbs scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gibbs prevents Ponnaganti from improving his position.
Ponnaganti has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gibbs is working away from the top position though.
Gibbs is looking to advance position but Ponnaganti won't allow it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nice strikes from Gibbs there.
Gibbs missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Gibbs is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Gibbs is working for an americana but Ponnaganti has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Gibbs was thinking about the submission.

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.
Ponnaganti wants to stand up but Gibbs is controlling him.
Gibbs trying to control the position from guard on top but Ponnaganti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gibbs postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vrajesh Ponnaganti dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ponnaganti gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ponnaganti landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Gibbs is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ponnaganti lands a nice knee to the body.
Ponnaganti prevents Gibbs from breaking the clinch.
Ponnaganti lands a knee to the body.
Ponnaganti unloads a knee to the mid-section. Gibbs lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Ponnaganti scores with a knee to the head.
Ponnaganti using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Ponnaganti.
Gibbs tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ponnaganti lands a knee to the head.
Gibbs is looking to break free of the clinch but Ponnaganti has double underhooks.
Ponnaganti landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Gibbs wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Landon Gibbs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gibbs is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ponnaganti scores a nice knee to the body.
Ponnaganti landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Gibbs tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Gibbs manages to break the clinch.
Ponnaganti lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Landon Gibbs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ponnaganti lands a jab to the nose.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gibbs.
A thudding body kick lands there by Ponnaganti!
Vrajesh Ponnaganti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gibbs throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ponnaganti.
Gibbs throws a body kick the misses
and Ponnaganti counters with a right hand to the body.
Gibbs clinches but Ponnaganti breaks the clinch
and Ponnaganti counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Gibbs thinking.
Landon Gibbs is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ponnaganti tries to keep at a distance but Gibbs has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gibbs softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Gibbs is looking to break free of the clinch but Ponnaganti has double underhooks.
Gibbs is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ponnaganti gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gibbs managing to block the knees to the body from Ponnaganti.
Gibbs avoiding damage as Ponnaganti throws knees to the body.
Gibbs is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ponnaganti using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gibbs has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Gibbs managing to block the knees to the body from Ponnaganti.
Ponnaganti misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gibbs.
Gibbs wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gibbs tries to score a body lock takedown but Ponnaganti shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gibbs is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ponnaganti misses with a knee strike.
Ponnaganti gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Gibbs has picked Ponnaganti up - he's going for a ride! Gibbs dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Gibbs controlling the pace.
Gibbs moves nicely into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gibbs sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Ponnaganti is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Gibbs advances to mount.
Gibbs thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
You get the feeling that Ponnaganti really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Gibbs throws some wild stikes that Ponnaganti manages to avoid easily.
Ponnaganti is squirming around, avoiding Gibbs's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponnaganti is trying to stand but he's just given Gibbs his back.

Ponnaganti defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gibbs is looking for a triangle but Ponnaganti pushes his legs off easily.
Gibbs looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Ponnaganti puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

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.
Gibbs won't allow Ponnaganti to pass to mount.
Gibbs slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gibbs looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ponnaganti is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gibbs had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Ponnaganti is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Gibbs Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Ponnaganti's back instead.
Gibbs tries to keep control of the position but Ponnaganti is staying busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vrajesh Ponnaganti will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A good leg kick by Ponnaganti.
Gibbs throws a combination that misses

and Ponnaganti counters by moving into the clinch.
Gibbs is looking to break free of the clinch but Ponnaganti has double underhooks.
Knees in the clinch landing for Ponnaganti.
Ponnaganti with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A head punch on the inside from Gibbs fails to land.
Ponnaganti lands a knee to the head.
Ponnaganti missing with knees to the body.
Gibbs takes an elbow to the temple.
Gibbs is looking to break free of the clinch but Ponnaganti has double underhooks.

Gibbs breaks the clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Ponnaganti.
No luck for Gibbs with that takedown attempt.
Gibbs looks to clinch
and Ponnaganti makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ponnaganti moves out of range of the strikes.

Ponnaganti moves into the clinch.
Ponnaganti comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ponnaganti using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gibbs has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Knees to the body from Ponnaganti.
Ponnaganti keeps control of Gibbs as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gibbs takes an elbow to the forehead.

Gibbs pulls guard effortlessly.

Gibbs escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ponnaganti gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponnaganti slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Ponnaganti stands and steps away. Gibbs gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Ponnaganti pushes Gibbs up against the cage in a clinch.
Ponnaganti with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gibbs is working for takedown but Ponnaganti is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ponnaganti is pressed up against the cage. Gibbs has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ponnaganti down to the mat. Ponnaganti avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Landon Gibbs. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ponnaganti rushes Gibbs and presses him up against the cage.
Ponnaganti lands an elbow just above Gibbs 's eye.
Gibbs has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ponnaganti is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gibbs managing to block the knees to the body from Ponnaganti.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponnaganti with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gibbs tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gibbs lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ponnaganti trying to land knees to the body.

Gibbs manages to break the clinch.
Gibbs with a poor takedown
and Ponnaganti counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gibbs tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ponnaganti swivels and escapes.
Gibbs closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ponnaganti circles away.
Gibbs tries to close the distance and clinch but Ponnaganti swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gibbs wants to clinch up but Ponnaganti keeps it at a distance.

Ponnaganti rushes Gibbs and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gibbs avoiding damage as Ponnaganti throws knees to the body.
Ponnaganti gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ponnaganti trying to land knees to the body.
Ponnaganti prevents Gibbs from breaking the clinch.
Gibbs fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ponnaganti looking to throw knees to the head but Gibbs is blocking nicely.

Gibbs is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Ponnaganti can't fight it off and eventually Gibbs manages to take the fight to the floor. Ponnaganti looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ponnaganti pulls Gibbs in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponnaganti's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Gibbs wants to control from the top but Ponnaganti keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Gibbs drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ponnaganti manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gibbs has Ponnaganti in his guard.
Ponnaganti tries to free his leg and advance position but Gibbs is retaining full guard.
Ponnaganti controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Ponnaganti passes into half guard.
Ponnaganti wants to stand up but Gibbs is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vrajesh Ponnaganti comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ponnaganti winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight for Vrajesh Ponnaganti!
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight for Vrajesh Ponnaganti!
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight for Vrajesh Ponnaganti!

Vrajesh Ponnaganti wins by unanimous decision!