PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Reece Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buretta Gali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buretta Gali acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Paul
vs
Gali

190 cm
26
175 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

181 cm
27
182 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Reece Paul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Buretta Gali!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Damien Edna and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gali just misses with a punch to the body.
Paul steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gali.
Gali misses with a hook.
Paul defending well as Gali loads up on a big left hand.
Paul keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Paul has a takedown stuffed.
Paul looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Paul keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gali.
Gali misses the jab.
Gali is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Paul.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Gali enables Paul to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gali manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Paul is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Gali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paul 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gali 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.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Gali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Paul drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Paul jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Gali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gali looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gali is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Paul is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gali is working an open guard so Paul takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Gali moves into range and connects with a jab.

Paul throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gali tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Paul is in Gali's guard.
Gali keeping moving, preventing Paul from controlling successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gali wants to stand but Paul is controlling the position.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Gali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paul is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Gali is looking to stand up but Paul isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Reece Paul just wasn't active enough.

Paul moves into the clinch successfully.
Gali wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Paul has him pressed against the cage.
Gali misses with a hook from the clinch.
Paul drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Paul wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reece Paul. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paul tries for a takedown but Gali manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gali wants to break the clinch but can't.
Paul has Gali pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gali manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Paul is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gali pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Paul tries to score a body lock takedown but Gali shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gali stops a takedown attempt from Paul.
Gali doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Paul is trying to drag Gali to the mat but Gali just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Gali tries to break the clinch but Paul is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reece Paul dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gali throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gali misses with a looping right.

Paul throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gali was covering up waiting for the punch and Paul finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Gali working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Paul.

Paul thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Paul drops back looking for a leg! Gali is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gali manages to kick Paul off! Paul jumps back into Gali's guard.
Paul stays in close to Gali's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Gali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gali can do anything to dispel that myth.

Paul 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.
Paul postures up in Gali's guard and throws a big left but Gali blocks it.
Paul 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.
Paul trying to control but Gali is working from the bottom.

Paul 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Paul gets to his feet. Gali looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Gali gets caught flat footed, as Paul shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Paul 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.
Gali keeping moving, preventing Paul from controlling successfully.
Paul is stalling in the full guard.
Gali looking to hit a scissor sweep but Paul is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Reece Paul wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Gali listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Paul takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Gali misses the shot to the body.
Paul uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gali.
Gali throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Paul counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Paul 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.
Gali really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Paul. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Paul wants to control from the top but Gali keeps moving.
Gali is adopting a defensive guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Paul trying to control but Gali is working from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paul showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Reece Paul has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Paul uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gali.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gali ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reece Paul dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Gali misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Paul.
Paul has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gali finds it's way round the side to connect with Paul's head.
Gali loads up on a big right hand but Paul slips the punch.
Buretta Gali seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Paul throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gali tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Paul is in Gali's guard.

Paul stands up and waves to Gali to follow him.
Paul uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gali.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gali is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Gali avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Paul is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Gali gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Paul keeps control of Gali as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gali tries to circle away but Paul has him pinned against the cage.
Paul is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gali pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reece Paul. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gali trying to stall but Paul improves his position.
Gali gets underhooks to prevent Paul's takedown attempt.
Paul has Gali pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gali manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul looking for a takedown.
Paul tries for a takedown but Gali manages to get underhooks.
Gali wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gali wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gali is looking to break free of the clinch but Paul has double underhooks.
Gali wants to break the clinch but can't.
Paul keeps control of Gali as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Paul decides to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paul is looking to cinch up a triangle. Gali throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Paul's body to avoid the submission. Paul has instead reached around Gali's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Paul arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:20 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Reece Paul!
Reece Paul thanked the fans post fight for their support.