PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gilbert West (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toms Ozols (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Toms Ozols has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

West
vs
Ozols

211 cm
24
140 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

176 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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 Helsinki, Gilbert West!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Toms Ozols!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ozols throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Ozols gets a clinch.
Ozols is trying to stall.

Ozols has clasped his hands together around West's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Ozols creates some space and throws a big elbow, but West sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
A control attempt from West but he's now mounted!
Ozols unloads with some shots from mount but West bucks and avoids them well.
Ozols trying to control but West is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
West wants to control but Ozols is having none of it.
West is wriggling around trying to escape.
Ozols misses with a head shot.
West tries to hold on but Ozols postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ozols thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Ozols controlling the position easily from mount.
West bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
West is looking to stand up but Ozols won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

West gets a double leg takedown into Ozols's guard.

Ozols has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. West has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
West drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Ozols breaks the clinch.
Ozols fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt West.
Ozols avoids the head kick by West.
Ozols throws a right and a left that West avoids nicely.
West tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ozols swivels and escapes.

Ozols throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. West tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Ozols is in West's guard.
Ozols wants to stand and escape but instead West has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

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!
Ozols is pulling down on West's head. It's preventing any offense from West, at least for the moment.

Ozols is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. West is aware though and is defending well.
West connects with a couple of short punches.
West postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
West will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ozols looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
West lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ozols shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in West's guard.
Ozols trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ozols sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed West's guard.
West trying to control but Ozols postures up.
West avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ozols.
Ozols wants to take a breather but West is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ozols seems to be working for a kimura but West defends the submission attempt.
Ozols wants to lay and pray for a moment but West keeps working.
Ozols seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
West really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ozols is looking to stall here but West recovers full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
West working a defensive guard here.
Ozols tries to stand but West is controlling from the bottom.
Ozols wants to control from the top but West keeps moving.

Toms Ozols has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
West throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
West avoids the head kick by Ozols.

Ozols fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging West to the ground. Ozols is now in West's guard.
West looking to control.
Toms Ozols has got the better of the ground game so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ozols looking to pass the guard.
Ozols trying to stand up but can't free himself from West's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
West has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Gilbert West has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ozols scores with a spinning back kick!
Ozols throws a sloppy head kick and West moves out of range easily.
West tries for a takedown but Ozols sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ozols avoids the head kick by West.
West throws a right and a left that Ozols avoids nicely.
Ozols lands a nice leg kick that just misses West's sensitive parts.
Ozols jabs at West's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toms Ozols 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! This is the final round!

West keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Ozols shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
West is staying active underneath Ozols, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
West tries to roll over but Ozols keeps him under control.
Ozols wants to free his trapped foot but West is holding on for dear life with his legs.
West is controlling Ozols's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ozols is trying to control the action in half guard but West is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Toms Ozols wasn't active enough on the ground.

Ozols looking to score a takedown here. West is defending well but Ozols drives through and ends up in West's guard.
Ozols looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
West is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ozols tries to keep at a distance but West has taken the fight into the clinch.
West tries for a takedown but Ozols manages to get underhooks.

Ozols's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gilbert West is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ozols gets a double leg takedown into West's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ozols postures up.
Ozols forces his way into half guard.
Ozols tries to stand but can't do so whilst West controls his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
West trying to control but Ozols postures up.
West wants to get back to full guard.
West wants to control but Ozols is keeping busy and won't allow it.

We're going to have a standup here because Gilbert West wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
West shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ozols sprawls well. Ozols wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. West gets slowly back to his feet.
West shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ozols but Ozols pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gilbert West. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
West works Ozols's body with a nice hook.

Ozols closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into West's guard.
Ozols postures up.
West looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Ozols must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
West keeping moving, preventing Ozols from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Toms Ozols comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ozols 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toms Ozols!