PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cormac Gutz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Al an (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gutz comes to the cage accompanied by Everyday. Cormac Gutz could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Al an's chin.

Gutz
vs
an

185 cm
28
187 lbs
16 - 5 - 2

185 cm
29
195 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cormac Gutz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Al an!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Alan Glass and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
an connects with the punch.
Gutz cracks an with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
an shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gutz as he avoids it easily.
an missing with a left hand there. Gutz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A jab from an does it's job there.
an keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gutz.
an shoots and misses
and Gutz counters with a thumping low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gutz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

an shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than an was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Gutz is looking for a sweep.
an scores with punches from side control.
an in side control, throwing shots but Gutz defends.

an thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Gutz manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
an prevents Gutz from improving his position.
an throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
an thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
an missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gutz has hold of an's hands but an slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gutz's coaches at Gutz Gym have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
an sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gutz defending well though.
Gutz is looking to control an's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gutz avoid being mounted?
an wants to pass to mount but Gutz is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gutz is trying to get back to full guard.
an throwing shots but Gutz is blocking nicely.
Gutz wants to get back to full guard.
Gutz is trying to maintain the position but an is very close to passing his half guard.
Gutz tries to roll over but an keeps him under control.
Gutz is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gutz blocking the ground and pound attempt from an.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
an throwing shots but Gutz is blocking nicely.
an prevents Gutz from improving his position.
Gutz keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
an not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
an not landing any meaningful shots this time.

an is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gutz makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gutz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gutz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from an.
Gutz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gutz wants to sweep here but an controlling him for the moment.
an postures up in Gutz's guard and throws a big left but Gutz blocks it.
Gutz is looking to sweep but instead, an has passed into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gutz avoiding damage under a succession of punches from an.
an lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al an dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gutz's hands are dropping dangerously low here and an connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gutz scrambles back to his feet.

Gutz moves into the clinch.
an is looking to take this one to the mat.

Gutz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gutz tries to clinch up.
Gutz scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Gutz scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gutz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
an shoots in looking for a takedown. Gutz tries to sprawl out of it but an keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gutz manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
an changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
an fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gutz avoids it really well and circles away.
Cormac Gutz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Al an.
Nice shot by Gutz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
an throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
an ducks right into an uppercut from Gutz.
an throws the left hand but Gutz avoids the punch easily.
an tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gutz was well out of range. Poor timing from an.
Gutz throws an off balance right hand

and an counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gutz's guard now.
Gutz trying to control the position.
an working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gutz's head.
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!
an throws a strike but Gutz rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
an not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
an might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Gutz haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Gutz controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gutz has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gutz is in close to an's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gutz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gutz is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Cormac Gutz wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Gutz throws the left hand but an avoids the punch easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
an lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
an looks to throw the jab but Gutz is out of range.
That kick from Gutz tenderised an's leg. an is trying to keep his angry face on.
Horrible takedown by an or perhaps it was just good defense by Gutz which made him look bad.
an lands a nice hook to Gutz's body. Gutz takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Al an seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
an shoots in and drives through. Gutz sprawls well.
an keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
an shoots in for a double leg but Gutz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gutz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gutz.

an darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
an is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gutz controlling the position well.
Gutz is trying to get back to full guard.
an with the ground and pound but Gutz uses the opportunity to regain guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
an throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gutz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
an with a flurry of punches that miss.
an postures up and lands a big shot to Gutz's brow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Al an will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gutz throws a low kick but it's checked well by an.
A good leg kick by an.
an 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.
A swing and a miss from an.
an with a poor takedown
and Gutz counters with a nice leg kick.
an attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A looping hook to the body misses from an. Gutz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gutz drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
an walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Gutz checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

an tries to keep at a distance but Gutz has taken the fight into the clinch.
an blocking some punches.
an tries to throw a body punch but Gutz avoids it by throwing an back against the cage.
an misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
an fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
an looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Gutz lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Gutz prevents an from improving his position.
Gutz performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Gutz trying to control from half guard but an is working away.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
an is trying to maintain the position but Gutz is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al an has got the better of the ground game so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Cormac Gutz wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Gutz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gutz scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Cormac Gutz is winning the standup battle so far.
an misses with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
an misses with a takedown
and an takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
an fails to land the takedown.
Cormac Gutz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Al an.
an scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gutz throws a jab but it's blocked by an.
Gutz throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent an stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
an takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
an takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Gutz avoids the head kick by an.
Gutz throws out a loose jab but an uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gutz digs a good body shot into an's ribs.
an uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gutz.
Gutz lands with a straight right. an didn't see that one coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gutz cracks an with a good jab.

an is rocked!
Gutz throws a right and a left that both miss.
an has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
an bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gutz darts in and clinches an up against the cage.
Gutz is leaning against an and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A right hand to the body from Gutz.
Gutz lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gutz lands a body shot in the clinch.
Gutz scores with a nice hook to the head.
an is still on wobbly legs! Can Gutz finish him?
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gutz.
Gutz just leaning against an, taking a breather.
Gutz presses an against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Good body shot from Gutz.

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

an has his foot on Gutz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gutz works his way back into a safe position though.
Gutz controlling from the top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac Gutz clearly takes that round.
That's time! Gutz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gutz fails in his attempt to clinch.
an seems to have recovered his senses.
an throws a chopping leg kick but Gutz manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Gutz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
an takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A head kick misses from Gutz.
an misses the shot to the body.
an throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gutz throws a body punch but an moves out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as an checks a leg kick.
Gutz is looking to clinch but an is avoiding it.
an throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gutz's waist but Gutz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing an off to one side.
Gutz takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gutz wants to clinch but an slips to the side

and an decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gutz's guard.
an is looking to work some ground and pound but Gutz has wrist control.
an won't allow Gutz to sweep him here.
Gutz has control of an's left arm, preventing an from doing any damage.
Gutz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
an trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gutz has an pulled in close to control his posture.
an in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
an scoring with some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gutz has his hands on an's head, controlling the position.
Gutz wants to sweep here but an controlling him for the moment.
Gutz preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
an preventing the sweep.
an stands up over Gutz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
an postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
an content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gutz 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.
Gutz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
an stopping the sweep attempt from Gutz.
an is pushing down on Gutz's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gutz is fighting to maintain full guard but an has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ground and pound from an.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
an missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gutz desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Gutz punching from the bottom.
Gutz avoiding damage under a succession of punches from an.
an missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
an has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
an slips a nice elbow through Gutz's hands, connecting with Gutz's forehead.
an sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gutz defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al an dominated that fourth 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

an darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
an wants to free his trapped foot but Gutz is holding on for dear life with his legs.
an is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
an not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gutz controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
an lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's one minute gone in the round.
an missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gutz is trying to get back to full guard.
an throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

an is looking for a kimura but Gutz is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for an to get the leverage.
Gutz has hold of an's hands but an slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Cormac Gutz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gutz keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
an missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
an missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gutz is trying to maintain the position but an is very close to passing his half guard.
an tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gutz knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gutz manages to get to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
an trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gutz 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.
Gutz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
an loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
an lands a couple of decent looking shots.
an cracks Gutz with a solid left hand.
an is looking to work some ground and pound but Gutz has wrist control.
Gutz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
an postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gutz controlling an's posture.
an scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gutz has his hands on an's head, controlling the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gutz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from an.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
an connects with a couple of short punches.
Gutz keeping full guard, as an tries to pass.

And that's the end of the fight!
Al an comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think an 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 46:49
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 46:49
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Al an!
Al an is the new middleweight champion!
Al an bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.
Cormac Gutz spoke after the fight, saying 'Better man won tonight. '.