PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kon Sai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Gimmick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sai's entrance music is Made In Thailand. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Gimmick's choice of entrance music: Rob Bailey & The Hustle Standard - Hungry. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Sai
vs
Gimmick

176 cm
27
162 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

177 cm
35
169 lbs
30 - 17 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kon Sai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 17 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Justin Gimmick!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Valeri Chadov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sai looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gimmick is fending him off so far but Sai persists. Nope, Gimmick circles away and we're back to standing.
Gimmick connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gimmick scores with a nice head shot.
Gimmick cracks the inside of Sai's front leg.
Nice sprawl there from Gimmick as Sai shoots in.
Sai doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gimmick counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kon Sai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sai avoids a kick to the body.
Gimmick stuffs the takedown.
Gimmick swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sai shoots for a double leg takedown but Gimmick sprawls well. He's pushed Sai's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sai walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Sai shoots in and drives through. Gimmick sprawls well.
Gimmick throws a series of strikes that have Sai backpedaling.

It looks like Kon Sai has been cut.
Sai misses with a takedown attempt
and Gimmick counters with a big head kick but Sai shrugs it off.
Sai shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Gimmick counters with a crisp one two that drops Sai! Gimmick thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Sai to his feet! Sai is in big trouble!

Sai is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gimmick is looking to slow Sai down with leg kicks.
Gimmick fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sai has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kon Sai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gimmick throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gimmick looks to land a combination but Sai avoids it well.
Gimmick's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Gimmick duly obliges.
Gimmick connects with a leg kick. Sai looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Gimmick swinging wildly here.
Gimmick connects with a leg kick. Sai looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Gimmick throws a series of punches but Sai avoids them all with ease.
No luck for Sai with that takedown attempt.
Gimmick scoring well with a low kick there.
Gimmick bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gimmick rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sai throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gimmick's waist but Gimmick gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sai off to one side.
Gimmick misses with a double jab.
Sloppy strikes from Gimmick. Those never looked like landing.
A slapping leg kick lands for Gimmick.
Sai misses with a takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Sai slips a jab and a cross from Gimmick.
Gimmick lands with a nice body punch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gimmick.
Sai checks a leg kick nicely.
Sai throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gimmick's waist but Gimmick gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sai off to one side.

Gimmick rushes Sai and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Sai. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Gimmick is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Sai has Gimmick pressed against the cage, preventing Gimmick from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gimmick is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A hook to the body from Gimmick.

Sai gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Sai wants to pass the guard but Gimmick is keeping the position.

Sai drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Gimmick manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sai has Gimmick in his guard.
Sai trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Gimmick trying to control but Sai is working from the bottom.

Sai working for a triangle but Gimmick defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sai can't keep his opponent in guard - Gimmick advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sai won't allow Gimmick to pass to mount.
Sai is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gimmick's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gimmick's back!
Gimmick is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Sai off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Sai working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Sai is looking to control Gimmick but Gimmick is wriggling around and keeping busy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sai gets his hands free as Gimmick looks to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Gimmick dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kon Sai's cut.
That's time! Sai's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Sai shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Sai was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Gimmick is trying to buck Sai off.
Gimmick stops Sai from passing to mount.
Gimmick is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Sai has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Gimmick is not content to let Sai control the position.

Sai working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sai wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gimmick, who protects the arm well.

Sai working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Sai is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gimmick has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gimmick is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sai off and has taken his back!
Can Sai hold on?! Gimmick is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
You can see the frustration on Sai's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Sai looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Gimmick keeps control of the position as Sai tries to break free.
Gimmick throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gimmick misses with an elbow to the head.
Gimmick is landing with strikes. Sai can't take much more of this.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gimmick lands with a hammerfist to the side of Sai's head.
Gimmick punches the canvas rather than the man.
Sai manages to reverse the position and now he's in Gimmick's guard. Nice work there by Sai.
Sai preventing the sweep.

Sai drops back, looking for a kneebar! Gimmick looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Gimmick looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Gimmick!
Sai tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gimmick wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Gimmick has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gimmick swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sai moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sai shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gimmick defends it nicely.
Sai takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Gimmick lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Gimmick looks to land a combination but Sai avoids it well.
Sai fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kon Sai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sai shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gimmick counters with a nice kick to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A punch combination from Gimmick misses.
Sai shoots in for a takedown but Gimmick shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Gimmick showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kon Sai's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Gimmick throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gimmick connects with a right hand. Sai shakes it off.
Sai tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Gimmick defends well and Sai ends up having to push Gimmick into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Gimmick's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sai fails with the takedown
and Gimmick counters with a series of strikes. Sai will be more careful next time no doubt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kon Sai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gimmick throws a right and a left that both miss.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gimmick.
Gimmick lands a leg kick that knocks Sai off balance momentarily.
Gimmick moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A nice combination there by Gimmick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Gimmick has closed the distance and engaged Sai in a clinch.
Gimmick tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sai's elbow.
Sai throws an elbow that misses.
Gimmick has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Gimmick.
Sai creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gimmick cracks Sai with a nice body shot.
Gimmick looking to slow down the pace here.
Sai drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gimmick gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Gimmick's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gimmick throws a leg kick which misses Sai's front leg but catches the back leg as Sai tries to avoid it.
Gimmick throws a nice looking combination but Sai bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A leg kick checked by Sai.
Gimmick misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sai stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Gimmick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Gimmick.
Good standup being displayed there by Gimmick as he connects with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sai dodges the punch combination from Gimmick.
Gimmick throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
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!
Gimmick looks to land a combination but Sai avoids it well.
Gimmick throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kon Sai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gimmick will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sai tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gimmick sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sai somewhat.
Sai is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sai shoots in for a double leg but Gimmick sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sai chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gimmick can pounce on him.
Sai dives in and grabs Gimmick's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gimmick pushes down on Sai's head and hops out.
Justin Gimmick seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gimmick dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sai. That did some damage!
Sai shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gimmick as he jumps to the side.
Sai takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Justin Gimmick is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gimmick connects with a solid leg kick.
Sai goes for a double leg but Gimmick avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gimmick continues to drive forward.
Gimmick lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sai backwards.
Gimmick avoids the elbow strike from Sai, against the cage.
Justin Gimmick is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sai lands an elbow inside.
Gimmick blocks an elbow strike from Sai.
Gimmick throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Gimmick escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gimmick connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sai. Sai circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Gimmick throws a right hand that Sai ducks under and follows up with a left that Sai also avoids with ease.
Kon Sai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sai shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gimmick defends it nicely.
Sai shoots in looking for a takedown but Gimmick manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sai's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sai gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gimmick counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gimmick chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sai shoots for a takedown but Gimmick saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sai stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Gimmick.
Sai blocks a head kick by Gimmick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sai dives in and grabs Gimmick's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gimmick pushes down on Sai's head and hops out.
Nice uppercut lands for Gimmick. That snapped Sai's head back.

Gimmick closes the distance and clinches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Gimmick comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gimmick winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Gimmick!
Justin Gimmick managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Red Square Fight Gear, into his post fight interview.