PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lewis Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noah Gunn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Hicks
vs
Gunn

170 cm
18
135 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

150 cm
25
142 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Lewis Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Noah Gunn!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Colin Fray and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gunn is looking to clinch.

Hicks gets tackled into the cage by Gunn. Gunn maintains the clinch.

Gunn gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Hicks looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gunn 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hicks is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gunn's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Hicks has his foot on Gunn's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gunn works his way back into a safe position though.
Gunn pushing down on Hicks's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Gunn's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Noah Gunn has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Gunn scores with a takedown into Hicks's guard.
Gunn trying to control but Hicks is working from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Hicks has his foot on Gunn's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gunn works his way back into a safe position though.

Hicks working for a triangle but Gunn defends it easily.
Gunn sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunn wants to control from the top but Hicks keeps moving.
Gunn is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Hicks has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Gunn is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Hicks.
Gunn is looking to take a break and control but Hicks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hicks tries to buck Gunn off but Gunn is having none of it.
Gunn content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hicks tries to improve position but can't.
Hicks is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks is not content to let Gunn control the position.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
It looks like Gunn might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Noah Gunn was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Gunn darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunn stalling.

Hicks looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gunn controlling the action here.
Gunn should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Noah Gunn was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hicks swats away the attempt to clinch by Gunn.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Noah Gunn dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gunn fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Hicks to the ground. Gunn is now in Hicks's guard.

Hicks is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gunn defends well.

Hicks is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gunn is aware though and is defending well.
Hicks being controlled here, momentarily.

Hicks looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hicks will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gunn advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gunn looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Gunn has eaten all the pies!

Hicks actively working from the bottom here.

Gunn is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hicks doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gunn.

Gunn seems to be looking for submissions.
Noah Gunn has got the better of the ground game so far.

Hicks is defending against the submission attempts here by Gunn.
Gunn is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunn frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Gunn content just to control the position here.
Gunn tries to control but Hicks wriggling away.
Gunn looking to control and managing it successfully.
Gunn prevents Hicks from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunn controlling from the full mount.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Noah Gunn hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Gunn drives through with a takedown into Hicks's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Hicks can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gunn controls the pace.

Hicks is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gunn defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunn stays in close to Hicks's body and controls the position.

Noah Gunn has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Gunn closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gunn lands in his opponent's guard.

Hicks has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gunn can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gunn got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hicks has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gunn has managed to get both his arms back between Hicks's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Noah Gunn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gunn closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hicks quickly recovers to half guard.
Still in half guard, Gunn seems content to control.

Hicks looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gunn seems to be looking for submissions.

Hicks looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gunn seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hicks actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gunn performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Noah Gunn hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Gunn darts in and clinches Hicks up against the cage.
Hicks wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gunn taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Gunn has Hicks pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Gunn pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Hicks tumbling to the mat - Gunn dives into Hicks's guard.
Hicks keeping moving, preventing Gunn from controlling successfully.

Hicks is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hicks looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gunn slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Gunn is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Hicks is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gunn advances to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hicks wants to get back to full guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gunn in particular looking to stall.
Gunn works his foot free and advances to mount.
Gunn controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks is working to get back to half guard.
Gunn controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Noah Gunn.

Hicks tries to sprawl but Gunn drives through with a takedown into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gunn seems to be working for a kimura but Hicks defends the submission attempt.
Gunn wants to take a breather but Hicks is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Noah Gunn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gunn has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Noah Gunn!