PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jan Nowak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rantis Gaumpe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gaumpe has chosen TRIBAL SEEDS- AWAY as his entrance music. Rantis Gaumpe is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Nowak
vs
Gaumpe

198 cm
23
215 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

190 cm
28
217 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

CEC Nutrition Q160 *Christmas Sale*
Ganja's Warehouse

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jan Nowak!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rantis Gaumpe!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Radbod Blank and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gaumpe misses with a body shot.

Nowak fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gaumpe to the ground. Nowak is now in Gaumpe's guard.
Gaumpe is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nowak looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Nowak wants to control from the top but Gaumpe keeps moving.
Nowak throws a big right hand that misses.
Nowak looking to pass the guard.
Nowak throwing strikes from guard but Gaumpe blocks nicely.
Nowak trying to control the position from guard on top but Gaumpe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowak throws an elbow that misses. Gaumpe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nowak's guard. Nice move by Gaumpe!
Gaumpe wants to stand but Nowak has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Jan Nowak just wasn't active enough.
Gaumpe misses with a body kick.
Nowak tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gaumpe sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nowak somewhat.
Gaumpe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nowak manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nowak misses the shot to the body.
Gaumpe cracks Nowak with a good jab.
Gaumpe works Nowak's body with a nice hook.
Gaumpe defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nowak.

Gaumpe gets caught flat footed, as Nowak shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nowak throwing strikes but missing.
Gaumpe working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nowak.
Nowak working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nowak tries to free his leg and advance position but Gaumpe is retaining full guard.
Nowak trying to control but Gaumpe is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nowak accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gaumpe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nowak throws a big elbow that misses.
Nowak trying to control but Gaumpe is working from the bottom.
Nowak throwing strikes from guard but Gaumpe blocks nicely.
Nowak throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gaumpe works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nowak with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nowak wants to control from the top but Gaumpe keeps moving.
Nowak connects with a couple of short punches.
Nowak postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gaumpe keeping moving, preventing Nowak from controlling successfully.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nowak with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nowak working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gaumpe wants to sweep here but Nowak controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Nowak dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nowak on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Gaumpe. Gaumpe obviously looking to wear him down.
Gaumpe throws a lazy uppercut

and Nowak decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gaumpe's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gaumpe can do anything to dispel that myth.
Nowak trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nowak 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.
Nowak scoring with some ground and pound.
Gaumpe is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nowak throwing strikes from guard but Gaumpe blocks nicely.
Nowak wants to control from the top but Gaumpe keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowak trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nowak throwing strikes but missing.
Nowak working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nowak throwing strikes from guard but Gaumpe blocks nicely.
Gaumpe keeping full guard, as Nowak tries to pass.
Nowak wants to control from the top but Gaumpe keeps moving.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Nowak throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nowak is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Gaumpe keeping moving, preventing Nowak from controlling successfully.
Nowak is looking to work some ground and pound but Gaumpe has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nowak trying to control the position from guard on top but Gaumpe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

We're going to have a standup here because Jan Nowak wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nowak.
Nice takedown defense from Gaumpe. No joy for Nowak on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaumpe cracks Nowak with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

It looks like Jan Nowak has been cut.
Gaumpe misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nowak fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jan Nowak. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nowak bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Nowak trying to control the position but Gaumpe is working away.
Nowak throws a strike aimed at the side of Gaumpe's head but Gaumpe avoids it well.
Gaumpe taking a bit of punishment here - Nowak scoring with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nowak working the head with strikes.
Nowak scores with punches from side control.
Jan Nowak overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nowak working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
A lull in the action here.
Nowak trying to control the action but Gaumpe is working from the bottom.
Nowak throws a strike aimed at the side of Gaumpe's head but Gaumpe avoids it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nowak grinds an elbow into Gaumpe's temple.
Nowak misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Gaumpe managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Nowak.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Nowak dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jan Nowak's cut.
That's time! Nowak's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nowak looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nowak shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gaumpe defends it nicely.

Nowak looking to score a takedown here. Gaumpe is defending well but Nowak drives through and ends up in Gaumpe's guard.
Nowak is looking to work some ground and pound but Gaumpe has wrist control.
Nowak trying to control but Gaumpe is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowak throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nowak throwing strikes but missing.
Nowak in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gaumpe keeping moving, preventing Nowak from controlling successfully.
Nowak trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nowak trying to control the position from guard on top but Gaumpe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nowak is working Gaumpe over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Gaumpe pulls Nowak in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaumpe keeping full guard, as Nowak tries to pass.
Nowak trying to control the position from guard on top but Gaumpe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nowak in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nowak sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nowak being controlled here momentarily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nowak shoots in but Gaumpe avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jan Nowak. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaumpe throws a low kick but Nowak avoids it.
Gaumpe misses with a body kick.
Rantis Gaumpe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gaumpe lands a head kick!
Gaumpe scores with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nowak pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gaumpe bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Nowak's head backwards.
Gaumpe pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A left lands for Gaumpe.
Gaumpe misses with a body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gaumpe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nowak.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nowak shoots in looking for a takedown. Gaumpe tries to sprawl out of it but Nowak keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gaumpe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nowak throws a front kick aimed at Gaumpe's knee but Gaumpe avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaumpe is looking to score with low kicks.
Gaumpe looks to land a body kick but Nowak moved away.
Nowak tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gaumpe sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nowak somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowak checks a leg kick.
Nowak blocks a head kick by Gaumpe.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nowak.
Gaumpe buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Nowak gets a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nowak throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nowak thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gaumpe's head.
Gaumpe regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Nowak.
Gaumpe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nowak's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Nowak lands a couple of digs.
Nowak with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gaumpe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nowak wants to control from the top but Gaumpe keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nowak stopping the sweep attempt from Gaumpe.
Nowak lands a couple of digs.
Gaumpe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nowak chips away with some ground and pound.
Gaumpe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nowak. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Nowak throws a strike but Gaumpe rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Gaumpe preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nowak controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Jan Nowak just wasn't active enough.
Nowak shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gaumpe sprawls well. Gaumpe wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nowak gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jan Nowak. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gaumpe throws a wild body kick that Nowak sees coming a mile off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Nowak had his way with Rantis Gaumpe in that round.
The cut man is working on Jan Nowak's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nowak tries for a takedown but Gaumpe sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gaumpe misses with a kick to the body.
Gaumpe tries to bum rush Nowak with a series of wild strikes but Nowak uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gaumpe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nowak moves away.
Nowak shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gaumpe as he jumps to the side.
Nowak slips under a jab from Gaumpe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowak showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gaumpe.
Nowak shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gaumpe as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jan Nowak. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nowak is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gaumpe sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nowak misses with a takedown attempt - Gaumpe sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gaumpe dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaumpe displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nowak.
Gaumpe throws a shot to the body.
Gaumpe misses with a kick to the body.
Gaumpe cracks Nowak with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nowak blocks the body kick.
Nowak ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gaumpe moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaumpe looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nowak shoots in for a takedown but Gaumpe shows good takedown defense.
Gaumpe looks to land a body kick but Nowak moved away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nowak.
Gaumpe throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaumpe lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Nowak avoids a kick to the body.
Nowak shoots for a takedown but Gaumpe saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nowak fails with a takedown attempt.
Gaumpe throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rantis Gaumpe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nowak 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 49:47
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 48:47
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jan Nowak!
Jan Nowak retains his light heavyweight title!
An out of breath Jan Nowak thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.