PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gideon Gabriel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cruz Jefferson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jefferson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Damian Marley - Welcome to Jamrock. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Gabriel
vs
Jefferson

178 cm
29
179 lbs
23 - 12 - 1

185 cm
30
185 lbs
16 - 15 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

TWGC Champion
World class MT
Granite chin

Zentrope Fighting Universe

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Gideon Gabriel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Cruz Jefferson!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Trevor Gratis and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gabriel throws a leg kick

and Jefferson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Gabriel tries for a takedown. No joy.
Jefferson throws an elbow that misses.
Gabriel blocks an uppercut.
Gabriel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jefferson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gabriel has Jefferson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Jefferson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gideon Gabriel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gabriel blocks an elbow strike from Jefferson.
Gabriel with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Jefferson dodges an elbow strike from Gabriel.
Jefferson blocks an elbow strike.
Gabriel is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Jefferson is defending well for now.
Gabriel misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jefferson.
Jefferson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gabriel with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Jefferson is looking to control Gabriel's arms but Gabriel gets an underhook and turns him. Now Jefferson has his back to the cage.
Gabriel throws an elbow but it misses.
Gabriel tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Jefferson avoids it.

Gabriel tightens his grip and picks Jefferson up, before dumping him to the ground. Jefferson manages to land in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gabriel lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Jefferson is pulling down on Gabriel's head to control his posture.
Gabriel throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabriel throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jefferson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jefferson trying to keep a closed guard but Gabriel is proving a slippery customer.
Gabriel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jefferson is keeping the position for now.
Gabriel 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.
Gabriel throwing strikes but missing.
Jefferson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gabriel manages to get himself to full guard.

Gabriel looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Jefferson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Jefferson has passed into side control.
Gabriel looking for a sweep but Jefferson has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Gabriel can't escape the position.
Gabriel tries to lock up and control but Jefferson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gabriel is looking to improve his position but Jefferson isn't that keen on the idea.
Jefferson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Jefferson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson lands a big shot there that rocks Gabriel but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Gabriel can't escape the position.
Jefferson content just to control the position here.
Gabriel can't escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gabriel is in all sorts of trouble here.
Gabriel tries to hold on but Jefferson postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gabriel is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Jefferson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gideon Gabriel will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gabriel tests Jefferson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gabriel fails with the takedown

and Jefferson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Jefferson throws an elbow that misses.
Jefferson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Jefferson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gabriel.
Gabriel trying to land knees to the body.
Jefferson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Jefferson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gabriel using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Jefferson is pressed up against the cage. Gabriel has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Jefferson down to the mat. Jefferson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gabriel works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A punch combination from Gabriel misses.
Jefferson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gabriel attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Gabriel tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabriel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jefferson is looking to slow Gabriel down with leg kicks.
Gabriel tries to clinch there but Jefferson circles away.
Jefferson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gabriel doesn't seem bothered though.
Jefferson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Gabriel buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gabriel misses with a few strikes there.
Gabriel does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Jefferson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A low kick from Gabriel is predictable there

and Jefferson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Jefferson managing to block the knees to the body from Gabriel.
Jefferson looking to slow down the pace here.
Jefferson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gabriel goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jefferson prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gideon Gabriel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jefferson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gabriel in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gabriel has picked Jefferson up - he's going for a ride! Gabriel dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Jefferson is trying to maintain the position but Gabriel is very close to passing his half guard.
Jefferson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gabriel throwing strikes but missing.
Gabriel with a nice head shot there.
Gabriel forces his way into half guard.
Gabriel missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Gabriel wants to work for an arm triangle but Jefferson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gabriel prevents Jefferson from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gabriel is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gabriel wants to control but Jefferson is keeping him busy.
Gabriel content to control rather than advance.
Gabriel looks to land a strike but Jefferson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Jefferson looking for a sweep. Not yet Jefferson, not yet.
Gabriel cracks Jefferson with a solid left hand.
Gabriel throwing strikes from guard but Jefferson blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel landing with the ground and pound.
Gabriel chips away with some ground and pound.
Jefferson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
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!
Jefferson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gabriel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gabriel throws a big elbow that misses.
Jefferson looking to control.
Gabriel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gabriel with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gabriel trying to control but Jefferson is working from the bottom.
Gabriel throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gideon Gabriel dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gabriel tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Jefferson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Gabriel throws a hook to the side of Jefferson's head but Jefferson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gabriel scores with a body shot.
Gabriel tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jefferson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jefferson misses with a series of wild punches.
Gabriel throws a leg kick

and Jefferson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gabriel looking to throw knees to the head but Jefferson is blocking nicely.
Jefferson misses with an elbow strike.
Gabriel throws an elbow but it misses.
Jefferson managing to block the knees to the body from Gabriel.
Nice elbow from Jefferson.

It looks like Gideon Gabriel has been cut.
Gabriel wants a takedown.
Gabriel tries to land knees in the clinch but Jefferson avoids the damage to the body.
Jefferson stalling the fight.
Gabriel is trying to drag Jefferson to the mat but Jefferson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Jefferson pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jefferson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gideon Gabriel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gabriel scores a nice knee to the body.
Gabriel is looking for a takedown.
Gabriel throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jefferson blocks it with crossed arms.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gabriel takes an elbow to the forehead.
Gabriel avoids a wild elbow strike from Jefferson.
Jefferson is pressed up against the cage. Gabriel has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Jefferson down to the mat. Jefferson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jefferson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gabriel tries to clinch there but Jefferson circles away.
Gabriel tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jefferson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gabriel somewhat.
Gabriel throws a solid leg kick but Jefferson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gabriel.
Gabriel tries a low kick but Jefferson avoids it.
Gabriel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jefferson as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson connects with a leg kick. Gabriel looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Jefferson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Gabriel takes a step back to recover.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jefferson leaves Gabriel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Jefferson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jefferson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gabriel doesn't seem bothered though.
Cruz Jefferson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
An inside leg kick lands from Jefferson.

Jefferson moves into the clinch.
Jefferson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jefferson taking a breather.
Gabriel takes an elbow to the temple.
Jefferson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Jefferson takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Gabriel missing with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel wants a takedown.
Jefferson avoids the elbow strike from Gabriel, against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Jefferson controlling the action here for a moment.
Jefferson taking a breather.
Stalling in the clinch from Jefferson.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Cruz Jefferson.
Jefferson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gabriel on the side of the head.
Jefferson throws a push kick but Gabriel slaps the foot to one side.
Jefferson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Gabriel wants to clinch

and Jefferson moves into the clinch.
Jefferson lands a damaging elbow.
Gabriel changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Jefferson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Jefferson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gabriel throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gabriel throws a sloppy head kick and Jefferson moves out of range easily.
Jefferson throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gabriel fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Jefferson.
Cruz Jefferson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jefferson throws a leg kick which misses Gabriel's front leg but catches the back leg as Gabriel tries to avoid it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Gabriel.
Gabriel moves in looking to clinch but Jefferson pushes him off.
Jefferson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gabriel tries to bum rush Jefferson with a series of wild strikes but Jefferson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gabriel tries a head kick but it misses.
Gideon Gabriel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jefferson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jefferson punishes Gabriel's body with a nice straight punch.

Jefferson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gabriel blocks an elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cruz Jefferson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gabriel 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gideon Gabriel!
Gideon Gabriel seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.