PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Devon Gonzalez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Test Ninja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Ninja's choice of entrance music: Super Bon Bon - Soul Coughing. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gonzalez
vs
Ninja

170 cm
26
150 lbs
18 - 7 - 0

150 cm
26
130 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing over 40$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Devon Gonzalez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Test Ninja!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Franklyn Lucas and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ninja closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Gonzalez's guard.
Ninja stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gonzalez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ninja wants to control from the top but Gonzalez keeps moving.
Ninja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gonzalez looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Ninja puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Ninja is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gonzalez sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ninja is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Gonzalez is staying active underneath Ninja, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gonzalez wants to get back to full guard.
Gonzalez wants to control but Ninja is keeping busy.
Gonzalez is concentrating on defense, preventing Ninja from advancing position.
Gonzalez trying to control but Ninja postures up.
Gonzalez tries to roll over but Ninja keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzalez is trying to maintain the position but Ninja is very close to passing his half guard.
Ninja frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Gonzalez regains half guard.
Gonzalez wants to control but Ninja is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gonzalez controlling the position well.
Ninja is looking to take a break and control but Gonzalez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gonzalez works his way to full guard. Good work.
Gonzalez has his hands on Ninja's head, controlling the position.
Gonzalez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Gonzalez is trying to control the position but Ninja postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ninja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gonzalez is adopting a defensive guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Ninja shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ninja wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gonzalez keeps working.
Ninja trying to pass the guard but Gonzalez defending well.
Gonzalez is pressing down on Ninja's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ninja trying to control but Gonzalez is working from the bottom.
Ninja looking to pass the guard.
Gonzalez controls Ninja momentarily but Ninja frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez has control of Ninja's left arm, preventing Ninja from doing any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gonzalez has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Devon Gonzalez just wasn't active enough.
Gonzalez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ninja looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Gonzalez shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ninja is looking to improve his position.
Well, if Gonzalez is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Ninja wants to control but Gonzalez is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ninja tries to get to full guard but Gonzalez has control of the leg.
Gonzalez is looking to advance position but Ninja won't allow it.
Ninja trying to hold on to Gonzalez's head to control him but Gonzalez postures up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gonzalez keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Gonzalez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ninja is trying to improve his position.
Gonzalez wants to control but Ninja is keeping him busy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ninja is being controlled here.
Ninja is not content to let Gonzalez control the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Gonzalez controlling the position from side mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Devon Gonzalez dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gonzalez looking to score a takedown here. Ninja is defending well but Gonzalez drives through and ends up in Ninja's guard.

Ninja has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gonzalez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Ninja has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gonzalez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gonzalez controlling from the top position.
Ninja wants to sweep here but Gonzalez controlling him for the moment.
Ninja keeping moving, preventing Gonzalez from controlling successfully.
Gonzalez seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Ninja keeping moving, preventing Gonzalez from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

We're going to have a standup here because Devon Gonzalez wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Gonzalez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ninja to the mat! Ninja manages to get full guard.
Gonzalez showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Gonzalez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gonzalez trying to control the position from guard on top but Ninja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gonzalez slips nicely into half guard.
Gonzalez trying to control the action but Ninja is working from the bottom.
Gonzalez controlling the action here.
Ninja wants to improve his position but Gonzalez is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez controlling the action here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Ninja trying to control from the bottom.

Devon Gonzalez has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ninja shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gonzalez as he jumps to the side.
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!
Gonzalez stuffs the takedown attempt from Ninja. Ninja gets slowly back to his feet.

Gonzalez shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Ninja is breathing heavily.
Gonzalez is thwarting Ninja's attempts to control the position.
Gonzalez content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Gonzalez wants to pass to mount but Ninja is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez is thwarting Ninja's attempts to control the position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ninja manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Gonzalez sitting in guard here, content to control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

We're going to have a standup here because Devon Gonzalez wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Gonzalez shoots in and gets a takedown into Ninja's guard.
Gonzalez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Gonzalez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ninja is keeping the position for now.
Gonzalez trying to control but Ninja is working from the bottom.
Gonzalez looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ninja looking to control.

Gonzalez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ninja has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gonzalez has managed to get both his arms back between Ninja's legs - danger averted.
Gonzalez wants to pass the guard but Ninja is keeping the position.
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!
Gonzalez trying to control the position from guard on top but Ninja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gonzalez passes Ninja's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ninja gets full guard.
Ninja looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gonzalez looking to pass the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ninja working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gonzalez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gonzalez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gonzalez wants to control from the top but Ninja keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Devon Gonzalez dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ninja looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ninja stopping the sweep attempt from Gonzalez.
Gonzalez seems keen to control Ninja's posture.
Ninja trying to control the position from guard on top but Gonzalez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gonzalez pulls Ninja in close to prevent any damage.

We're going to have a standup here because Devon Gonzalez wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Ninja scores with a takedown into Gonzalez's guard.
Gonzalez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
My spies in MMA Warrior (1000$ / 15 Elite Coaches) inform me that Ninja has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzalez keeping moving, preventing Ninja from controlling successfully.
Gonzalez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ninja manages to get himself to full guard.

Ninja escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gonzalez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gonzalez tries to free his leg and advance position but Ninja is retaining full guard.
Gonzalez passes Ninja's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ninja wants to improve his position but Gonzalez is controlling well.
Gonzalez controlling the pace.
Gonzalez passes to side control.
Gonzalez slows the pace down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ninja tries to improve position but can't.

Gonzalez wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ninja, who protects the arm well.
Ninja is trying to improve his position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gonzalez is looking to take a break and control but Ninja is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Ninja's face as Gonzalez controls the position.
Ninja is looking for a sweep.
Gonzalez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ninja keeps working.
Gonzalez controls the position from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Devon Gonzalez wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Ninja dives in for a single leg takedown but Gonzalez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Gonzalez turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Gonzalez is looking to take a break and control but Ninja is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gonzalez is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Ninja wants to control but Gonzalez postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ninja keeps working.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Devon Gonzalez.

Gonzalez feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gonzalez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ninja swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gonzalez wants to control from the top but Ninja keeps moving.
Ninja trying to control the position.
Gonzalez wants to pass the guard but Ninja is keeping the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gonzalez wants to control from the top but Ninja keeps moving.
Devon Gonzalez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Devon Gonzalez has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Gonzalez looking to score a takedown here. Ninja is defending well but Gonzalez drives through and ends up in Ninja's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Devon Gonzalez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gonzalez has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Devon Gonzalez!
Devon Gonzalez took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.