PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jacques Gabriel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blagoi Mladenov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Gabriel
vs
Mladenov

182 cm
29
200 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

184 cm
25
192 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jacques Gabriel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Blagoi Mladenov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gabriel shoots in for a double leg but Mladenov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Gabriel is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Mladenov's half guard.
Mladenov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gabriel is working away from the top position though.
Mladenov is trying to get back to full guard.
Gabriel is pressing down on Mladenov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mladenov is holding on for now.
Gabriel is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Mladenov trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mladenov tries to get to full guard but Gabriel has control of the leg.
Mladenov wants to get back to full guard but Gabriel has passed into side control.

Gabriel wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mladenov, who protects the arm well.
Mladenov is looking to regain half guard here but Gabriel keeps moving and retains side control.

Gabriel is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mladenov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mladenov is trying to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mladenov prevents Gabriel from moving into mount.
Mladenov tries to improve position but can't.
Gabriel lands a few punches from side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mladenov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mladenov regains half guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Mladenov trying to control but Gabriel postures up.
Gabriel stops Mladenov from getting back to his feet.
Gabriel throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mladenov lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mladenov looking for submissions off his back.

Gabriel is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Gabriel is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mladenov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gabriel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Mladenov to regain full guard.
Gabriel stays in close to Mladenov's body and controls the position.
Mladenov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Gabriel puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Gabriel passes to side control.

Gabriel is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mladenov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gabriel works to advance to full mount. Mladenov defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Gabriel throwing strikes but Mladenov uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mladenov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gabriel in particular looking to stall.
Mladenov wants to get back to full guard.
Mladenov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mladenov manages to get to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gabriel chips away with some ground and pound.
Gabriel passes Mladenov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gabriel is working for a submission of some sort.
Mladenov wants to control but Gabriel is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Gabriel dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mladenov scores with a takedown into Gabriel's guard.
Mladenov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mladenov trying to control but Gabriel is working from the bottom.
Gabriel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Gabriel looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Mladenov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gabriel has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mladenov has managed to get both his arms back between Gabriel's legs - danger averted.
Mladenov connects with a couple of short punches.
Mladenov throwing strikes from guard but Gabriel blocks nicely.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gabriel is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mladenov has his foot on Gabriel's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gabriel works his way back into a safe position though.
Gabriel is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gabriel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mladenov is trying to hold Gabriel in close to prevent damage but Gabriel has managed to pass into half guard.
Gabriel is trying to control. Mladenov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gabriel prevents Mladenov from improving his position.
Gabriel works his foot free and advances to mount.
Mladenov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mladenov is looking to escape.

Gabriel with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Gabriel thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

Gabriel is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Mladenov can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gabriel prevents Mladenov from getting the reversal.

Gabriel goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Mladenov is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gabriel is pulling down on Mladenov's head. It's preventing any offense from Mladenov, at least for the moment.
Mladenov throwing strikes but missing.
Gabriel looking to control.
Gabriel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mladenov is in close to Gabriel's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mladenov forces his way into half guard.
Mladenov controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gabriel.
Mladenov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gabriel throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Gabriel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mladenov defends it easily.
Gabriel wants to sweep here but Mladenov controlling him for the moment.
Mladenov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gabriel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gabriel has his foot on Mladenov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mladenov works his way back into a safe position though.
Mladenov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gabriel works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gabriel is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jacques Gabriel will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gabriel stuffs the takedown attempt from Mladenov. Mladenov gets slowly back to his feet.
Mladenov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gabriel sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gabriel shoots and misses

and Mladenov counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gabriel's guard now.

Gabriel working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mladenov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mladenov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gabriel is looking to stand up but Mladenov isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mladenov wants to control from the top but Gabriel keeps moving.

Gabriel escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mladenov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Gabriel is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mladenov is aware though and is defending well.
Mladenov trying to control the position from guard on top but Gabriel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mladenov passes Gabriel's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Gabriel is defending against the submission attempts here by Mladenov.
Mladenov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gabriel.
Gabriel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gabriel working a defensive guard here.
Mladenov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Gabriel working for a triangle but Mladenov defends it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mladenov throws a strike but Gabriel rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Gabriel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mladenov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Gabriel stands and throws Mladenov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mladenov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Gabriel's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Gabriel is trying to control the action in half guard but Mladenov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gabriel thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Mladenov looking for submissions off his back.
Gabriel prevents Mladenov from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gabriel is looking for a kimura here.
Mladenov is staying active underneath Gabriel, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mladenov trying to control but Gabriel postures up.

Gabriel seems to be working for a kimura but Mladenov defends the submission attempt.
Mladenov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gabriel is looking for a kimura here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jacques Gabriel did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gabriel.

Mladenov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Gabriel is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mladenov looking to control but instead Gabriel has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Ground and pound from Mladenov.
Gabriel has hold of Mladenov's hands but Mladenov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gabriel trying to control from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Mladenov there.
Gabriel is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mladenov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Mladenov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gabriel wants to get back to full guard.
Gabriel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mladenov.

Mladenov wants to work for an arm triangle but Gabriel is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Mladenov prevents Gabriel from improving his position.
Mladenov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mladenov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gabriel defending well though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gabriel is refusing to be controlled, as Mladenov sits in half guard.
Gabriel moves into full guard.
Gabriel manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mladenov manages to get himself to full guard.
Gabriel postures up and lands a big shot to Mladenov's brow.
Mladenov is trying to control the position but Gabriel postures up.
Gabriel trying to control the position from guard on top but Mladenov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mladenov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mladenov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Mladenov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mladenov is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Mladenov has his foot on Gabriel's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gabriel works his way back into a safe position though.
Gabriel wants to control from the top but Mladenov keeps moving.
Mladenov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mladenov is trying to keep Gabriel in close.
Gabriel content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gabriel is pushing down on Mladenov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mladenov is fighting to maintain full guard but Gabriel has managed to sneak the leg through.

Gabriel is trying to work for a kimura but Mladenov is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Jacques Gabriel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mladenov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gabriel.

Gabriel seems to be working for a kimura but Mladenov defends the submission attempt.
Mladenov wants to control but Gabriel is keeping busy and won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mladenov missing with punches from the bottom.

Gabriel is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mladenov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gabriel.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Blagoi Mladenov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gabriel throws an overhand right that lands on Mladenov's shoulder, as Mladenov tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Mladenov as Gabriel shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabriel throws a right hand that Mladenov ducks under and follows up with a left that Mladenov also avoids with ease.

Mladenov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mladenov showed some decent athleticism there.
Gabriel trying to control here.
Gabriel moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Mladenov is pushing down on Gabriel's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gabriel is fighting to maintain full guard but Mladenov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Gabriel is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mladenov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mladenov's back!

Gabriel looking for the choke but no joy.
Mladenov wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mladenov covering up well under a series of strikes from Gabriel.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mladenov trying to control the position but Gabriel manages to sink in the hooks.

Mladenov defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Gabriel keeps control of the position as Mladenov tries to break free.
Mladenov is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Mladenov is in bad spot here.
Mladenov breaks Gabriel's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Mladenov wants to control from the top but Gabriel keeps moving.

Gabriel is looking for a triangle but Mladenov pushes his legs off easily.
Mladenov preventing the sweep.
Gabriel looking to control.
Mladenov is looking to work some ground and pound but Gabriel has wrist control.
Mladenov postures up.

Mladenov has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Gabriel to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Mladenov is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Gabriel pulls down on the head and he's put Mladenov to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Jacques Gabriel!
Jacques Gabriel retains his middleweight title!
After winning the bout, Jacques Gabriel thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.