PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Al Goro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bj Penn Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Goro
vs
Penn Jr

186 cm
22
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
21
215 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Al Goro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bj Penn Jr!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, John Mangel and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goro shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Penn Jr as he avoids it easily.
Goro tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Penn Jr swivels and escapes.
Goro swats away the attempt to clinch by Penn Jr.
Penn Jr scores with a spinning back kick!
Goro has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Penn Jr.
Bj Penn Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Goro pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Penn Jr back to the cage. Goro follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Goro scores with a takedown into Penn Jr's guard.
Goro with a flurry of punches that miss.
Goro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Penn Jr manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Goro manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Goro looking for subs off his back but Penn Jr has passed one foot through into half guard.
Goro is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goro looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Penn Jr wants to take a breather but Goro is having none of it.
Goro slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Penn Jr pushes down on Goro's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Goro looking for submissions off his back.
Penn Jr wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goro controlling the position well.
Goro is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Penn Jr's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Penn Jr's back!
Penn Jr controlling his opponent's hands, preventing the submission attempt.
Goro struggling to keep hold of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn Jr is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Goro loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Penn Jr hold on?
Goro controlling the position well here. Penn Jr rolled but Goro kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Goro doesn't have the hooks in and Penn Jr manages to turn into his guard.

Goro had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Penn Jr defends it easily.
Penn Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Goro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Goro escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Penn Jr gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Goro keeping moving, preventing Penn Jr from controlling successfully.
Goro might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Goro is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Penn Jr is aware though and is defending well.
Penn Jr is pushing down on Goro's leg trying to pass to half guard. Goro is fighting to maintain full guard but Penn Jr has managed to sneak the leg through.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Penn Jr tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Goro trying to control here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Goro holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al Goro dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Penn Jr tries a head kick but it misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Penn Jr.
Penn Jr looks to score with a jab to the body but Goro is just out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Penn Jr.
Penn Jr tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Goro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Penn Jr throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Penn Jr lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Penn Jr.
A head kick from Penn Jr lands but Goro takes it in his stride.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Goro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Penn Jr manages to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Penn Jr.
Goro looks for a takedown but Penn Jr sprawls well.
Penn Jr connects with a solid leg kick.
Penn Jr swings for the body but Goro moves out of range.
Goro rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Penn Jr moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Penn Jr enables Goro to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Penn Jr manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goro missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Penn Jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Goro won't allow Penn Jr to sweep him here.
Goro wants to control from the top but Penn Jr keeps moving.
Penn Jr is controlling Goro's posture.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Bj Penn Jr hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Penn Jr throws the left hand but Goro avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn Jr is looking to clinch but Goro is avoiding it.

Penn Jr clinches up against the cage.
A short right from Goro on the inside.
Goro scores with a shoulder strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Goro creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Penn Jr tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Goro avoids it.
Goro gets through Penn Jr's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Penn Jr tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Goro avoids it.
Penn Jr tries to land knees in the clinch but Goro avoids the damage to the body.
Goro lands a right hand that snaps the head of Penn Jr backwards.
Penn Jr trying to stall but Goro improves his position.
Good body shot from Goro.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Penn Jr struggles to land a body shot inside as Goro controls his hands.
Penn Jr lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Goro backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goro lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Penn Jr backwards.
Penn Jr with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Goro tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Penn Jr smiles and moves away.
Penn Jr bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Bj Penn Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Penn Jr lands with a nice body kick.
Penn Jr throws a wild body kick that Goro sees coming a mile off.
Penn Jr goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Goro tries to bum rush Penn Jr with a series of wild strikes but Penn Jr uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Goro misses with a takedown attempt - Penn Jr sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Al Goro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Penn Jr throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Penn Jr tries to clinch but Goro moves out of range.
Penn Jr takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goro circles away from the clinch attempt.
Goro shoots in but no luck this time.

Goro shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Penn Jr is trying to defend but Goro finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Al Goro overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Goro throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Penn Jr wants to get back to full guard.

Penn Jr is defending against the submission attempts here by Goro.
Goro wants to pass the guard but Penn Jr is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bj Penn Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Goro shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Penn Jr tries to kick Goro off but Goro keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Penn Jr gets full guard.
Goro stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Penn Jr swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Goro's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Goro looking to sit in guard and control but Penn Jr gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Penn Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goro throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Penn Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Goro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Goro managing to control the position.
Penn Jr stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Goro swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Goro keeping moving, preventing Penn Jr from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Bj Penn Jr.
Penn Jr throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Penn Jr tries to clinch up but Goro circles away and keeps his distance.
Goro stuns Penn Jr with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Jab by Goro.
Penn Jr wants to clinch
letting Goro counter with a right hand.
Penn Jr throws a head kick that misses.
Penn Jr delivers a nice body kick.
The fighters circling - Goro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Goro rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Penn Jr moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Goro scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn Jr defending well as Goro loads up on a big left hand.
Penn Jr is looking to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Goro is defended easily by Penn Jr.
Penn Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up but Goro swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bj Penn Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Goro takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Penn Jr throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Penn Jr misses with a body kick.
Penn Jr throws a head kick but Goro moves out of range.
Goro shoots in for a takedown but Penn Jr shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Goro shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Penn Jr napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Goro controlling the position.
Penn Jr wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goro tries to move to mount but Penn Jr blocks the move with his legs.
Penn Jr wants to control but Goro postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Penn Jr takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Goro is looking to take a break and control but Penn Jr is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Al Goro showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Goro has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Hogan scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Al Goro!
A relieved looking Al Goro thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.