PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenny Finch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Haloti Gnata (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.

Finch
vs
Gnata

188 cm
25
223 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

192 cm
23
209 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Performance Enhancing Drugs

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kenny Finch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Haloti Gnata!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Jonathan Paton and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gnata scores with a jab to the body.
A head kick misses from Gnata.
Gnata misses with an uppercut.

Finch looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Gnata wants to control but Finch is keeping busy.
Finch drops an elbow to the side of Gnata's head.

Finch is looking for a kimura here.
Finch 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.
Gnata gets back to full guard.
Gnata looking to control but Finch passes into half guard.
Finch trying to pass the guard but Gnata defending well.
Gnata is holding on to half guard well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gnata trying to control but Finch postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finch passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Gnata!
Finch is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Finch pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Gnata controls the position.
Gnata tries to lock up and control but Finch gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Finch trying to control but Gnata is having none of it.
Finch punishing his opponent with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gnata is looking to get to half guard.
Finch working Gnata over with strikes here.
Finch trying to control but Gnata is having none of it.
Gnata is bucking up trying to escape but Finch cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gnata is squirming around, avoiding Finch's attempts to control the action.
Finch lands with some strikes.
Finch fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Finch looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Finch unloading with bombs!
Gnata tries to hold on but Finch pushes him away.
Gnata is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Finch breaks from Gnata's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Finch lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Finch can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gnata is looking to escape.
Finch looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Gnata is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finch lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Finch lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Gnata hang on?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Finch punishing his opponent with strikes.
Gnata sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Gnata taking some punishment here, with Finch in his half guard.
Gnata moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gnata tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Finch postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gnata avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gnata bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Finch's guard.
Gnata stopping the sweep attempt from Finch.
Gnata throws an elbow that misses. Finch uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gnata's guard. Nice move by Finch!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finch trying to control the position from guard on top but Gnata is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Finch preventing the sweep.
Gnata working a defensive guard here.
Finch throwing strikes but missing.

Haloti Gnata has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Finch slips under a jab.
Finch tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gnata swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Finch tries to clinch there but Gnata circles away.
A swing and a miss from Gnata.
Finch is looking to clinch.
Finch throws a right and a left that both miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Finch dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gnata's corner calls for a 1-2. Gnata obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

It looks like Kenny Finch has been cut.
Gnata connects with a jab.
Gnata lands with an overhand left.
Gnata slips under a jab.
Jab, jab by Gnata - just one landing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gnata swinging wildly here.
Gnata lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kenny Finch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gnata throws the left hand but Finch avoids the punch easily.
A jab from Gnata does it's job there.
Finch shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gnata sprawls well. Gnata wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Finch gets slowly back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Finch.
The fighters circling - Gnata throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gnata digs a good hook to Finch's body.
Gnata might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Finch slips a jab and a cross from Gnata.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gnata tries to sprawl but Finch drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Gnata avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Finch.
Finch wants to pass to mount but Gnata is defending the position.
Gnata trying to control from the bottom.
Gnata is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gnata trying to hold on to Finch's head to control him but Finch postures up.
Gnata is trying to stand back up but Finch is controlling him
Gnata moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Finch wants to control from the top but Gnata keeps moving.
Gnata looking to control.
Finch is looking to work some ground and pound but Gnata has wrist control.
Gnata looking for a sweep. Not yet Gnata, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gnata with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
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!
Finch takes one to the side of the head.
A big right from Gnata misses.
Finch slips a straight right by Gnata.
Gnata scores with a jab. Finch acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Finch stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Gnata.
Gnata swinging wildly here.
Haloti Gnata seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Finch will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenny Finch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Finch.
Finch checks the leg kick nicely there.
Finch shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gnata sprawls well. Gnata wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Finch gets slowly back to his feet.
A combination from Gnata does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finch on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Finch.
Gnata feints a jab promting Finch to slip. Gnata then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Finch slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gnata ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Finch moves away.
Gnata lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gnata throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Finch closes the distance and clinches up with Gnata, looking for a takedown. Finch pushes Gnata against the cage but Gnata circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Finch moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Finch misses with a jab, cross combination.
Finch shoots in and drives through. Gnata sprawls well.
Gnata lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Finch walks into a left hand.
A punch combination from Gnata misses.
Finch dives in and grabs Gnata's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gnata pushes down on Finch's head and hops out.
Haloti Gnata is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gnata swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Gnata connects with a looping right hand.
Gnata tries a head kick but it misses.
Finch shoots in but no luck this time.

Finch has Gnata up against the cage in a clinch.
Gnata gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Finch.
Finch looking for a takedown.
Finch is trying to break the clinch but Gnata is controlling him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gnata presses Finch against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Gnata breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Finch looks for a takedown but Gnata sprawls well.
Gnata lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haloti Gnata showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kenny Finch's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Gnata gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Gnata breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Finch fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gnata to the ground. Finch is now in Gnata's guard.
Gnata trying to keep a closed guard but Finch is proving a slippery customer.
Gnata pulls Finch in close to prevent any damage.
Gnata looking for a sweep. Not yet Gnata, not yet.
Gnata keeping moving, preventing Finch from controlling successfully.
Gnata looking to control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Haloti Gnata wasn't active enough on the ground.
Finch misses with a takedown attempt - Gnata sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Finch shoots in for a takedown but Gnata shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Finch throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gnata tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Finch is in Gnata's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gnata pulls Finch in to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finch is looking to work some ground and pound but Gnata has wrist control.
Finch trying to control the position from guard on top but Gnata is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Finch stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gnata swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gnata wants to get back to his feet but Finch is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Finch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gnata is keeping the position for now.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gnata 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.
Finch trying to control but Gnata is working from the bottom.

Kenny Finch has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Finch instigates a clinch.
Gnata lands with a left to the head.
Gnata lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gnata cracks Finch with a nice body shot.
A hook to the body from Gnata.

Gnata escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gnata scores with a jab to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gnata throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Haloti Gnata seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gnata rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Finch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gnata lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Gnata lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Finch takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A slapping leg kick lands for Gnata.
Finch shoots in and drives through. Gnata sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenny Finch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice jab there from Gnata.
Finch takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Kenny Finch's cut is getting worse.
A decent looking cross lands there for Gnata.

Finch is rocked!
A right-left combo lands from Gnata.
Oh Finch is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gnata swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Finch.
Finch is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gnata.

Gnata closes the distance and clinches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gnata.
Gnata lands an uppercut.
Good body shot from Gnata.

Gnata breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Finch seems to have got his legs back now.
Finch walks into a jab.
Gnata misses with a straight right.
Gnata looks to land a left hand but Finch moved out of range nicely.
Finch takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Gnata feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Finchs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gnata misses with a wild body shot.

Finch throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gnata tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Finch is in Gnata's guard.
Gnata not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finch throwing strikes but missing.
Gnata seems keen to control Finch's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Haloti Gnata was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Gnata rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Finch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Finch shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gnata as he jumps to the side.
Gnata defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Finch.
Gnata paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Finch looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Finch bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Finch wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gnata keeps working.

Gnata throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

And that's the end of the fight!
Haloti Gnata comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gnata 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Haloti Gnata!
A less than humble Haloti Gnata misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.