PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bob Sappy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jerome Castro Gomes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Castro Gomes comes into a darkened arena with his song building. BJ Penn kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Sappy
vs
Castro Gomes

220 cm
21
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
270 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bob Sappy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jerome Castro Gomes!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Summer Carpenter and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sappy gets tackled into the ropes by Castro Gomes. Castro Gomes maintains the clinch.
Castro Gomes's coach down at ORIGINAL OWNER was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Castro Gomes's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Sappy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sappy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Castro Gomes as he avoids it easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Sappy scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Castro Gomes tries to bench press Sappy off him but Sappy keeps the position.

Sappy decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Castro Gomes blocks a head kick by Sappy.

Sappy looking to score a takedown here. Castro Gomes is defending well but Sappy drives through and ends up in Castro Gomes's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sappy with a flurry of punches that miss.
Castro Gomes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sappy is one step ahead there.
Sappy really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Sappy wants to control from the top but Castro Gomes keeps moving.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Sappy 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.
Castro Gomes wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Sappy wants to control from the top but Castro Gomes keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Bob Sappy.
Castro Gomes keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Castro Gomes is looking to clinch.
Castro Gomes fails with an attempt to clinch.

Sappy closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Castro Gomes did well to prevent Sappy getting side control.
Sappy is thwarting Castro Gomes's attempts to control the position.
Castro Gomes looks winded!
Sappy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sappy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Castro Gomes keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro Gomes gets full guard.

Sappy has gone for a leg lock! Castro Gomes slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sappy's guard.

Castro Gomes gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Castro Gomes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Castro Gomes closes the distance and clinches up with Sappy, looking for a takedown. Castro Gomes pushes Sappy against the ropes but Sappy circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sappy shoots in looking for a takedown but Castro Gomes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sappy's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Sappy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Castro Gomes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sappy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Castro Gomes as he avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro Gomes lands with a kick to the ribs.
Castro Gomes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sappy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Castro Gomes swivels and escapes.
A solid leg kick lands there for Castro Gomes.

Castro Gomes forces Sappy back against the ropes and clinches.

Castro Gomes pulls Sappy into guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Castro Gomes is trying to keep Sappy in close.
Sappy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sappy postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sappy looking to pass the guard.
Sappy throwing strikes from guard but Castro Gomes blocks nicely.
Castro Gomes throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro Gomes wants to get back to his feet but Sappy is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sappy looking to sit in guard and control but Castro Gomes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Sappy trying to keep a closed guard but Castro Gomes is proving a slippery customer.
Castro Gomes wants to stand but Sappy has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Castro Gomes should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
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.
Sappy tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Bob Sappy will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Castro Gomes tries to clinch up.

Sappy shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Sappy was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Sappy throwing strikes but Castro Gomes manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

Castro Gomes decides to stand up, so the ref orders Sappy to his feet.

Sappy scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Sappy throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Castro Gomes trying to control from the bottom.
Castro Gomes is trying to stand up here but Sappy is controlling him well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Castro Gomes works his way to full guard. Good work.
Castro Gomes has momentary wrist control but Sappy slips an elbow through the middle.
Castro Gomes keeping moving, preventing Sappy from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Castro Gomes is working an open guard so Sappy takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro Gomes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sappy sprawls well. Sappy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Castro Gomes gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Castro Gomes. No joy for Sappy on that attempt.
Sappy shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Castro Gomes as he jumps to the side.
Castro Gomes scores with a hook to the body. Sappy takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sappy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Castro Gomes.
Castro Gomes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Sappy throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Castro Gomes was covering up waiting for the punch and Sappy finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Sappy looking to sit in guard and control but Castro Gomes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro Gomes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sappy wants to stand and escape but Castro Gomes is having none of it.

Castro Gomes drops back looking for a leg! Sappy is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sappy manages to kick Castro Gomes off! Castro Gomes jumps back into Sappy's guard.
Castro Gomes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro Gomes passes Sappy's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sappy is trying to stand back up but Castro Gomes is controlling him
Castro Gomes working Sappy over with strikes.

Castro Gomes stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Sappy to get to his feet.
Castro Gomes tries to close the distance and clinch but Sappy swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Castro Gomes tries to clinch up.
Castro Gomes throws a head kick that Sappy semi-blocks.
Castro Gomes tries to clinch up.
Sappy shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Sappy. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Castro Gomes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Castro Gomes managing to block the knees to the body from Sappy.
Castro Gomes works on Sappy's body with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sappy is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Castro Gomes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sappy shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Castro Gomes as he jumps to the side.

Sappy gets tackled into the ropes by Castro Gomes. Castro Gomes maintains the clinch.
Castro Gomes blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Castro Gomes.
Castro Gomes working Sappy over with knees to the body.

Sappy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Castro Gomes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sappy fails with a takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Castro Gomes pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Castro Gomes tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Sappy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sappy looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jerome Castro Gomes will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Castro Gomes is looking to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Castro Gomes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sappy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sappy shoots in looking for a takedown. Castro Gomes tries to sprawl out of it but Sappy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Castro Gomes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bob Sappy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Castro Gomes lands with a nice combination. Sappy backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Bob Sappy has been cut.
Jerome Castro Gomes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Castro Gomes dives in for a single leg takedown but Sappy sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.

Sappy lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Castro Gomes is controlling Sappy's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Sappy stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Sappy pushes Castro Gomes up against the ropes in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sappy wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Castro Gomes jumps into guard, dragging Sappy to the mat.
Sappy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Castro Gomes is keeping the position for now.
Sappy wants to control from the top but Castro Gomes keeps moving.
Castro Gomes pulls Sappy in close to prevent any damage.

Castro Gomes manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Sappy closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Castro Gomes's guard.
Castro Gomes wants to stand up but Sappy is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sappy controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Sappy working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Castro Gomes's head.
Castro Gomes is trying to keep Sappy in close.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jerome Castro Gomes.

Sappy shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Castro Gomes's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sappy wants to control from the top but Castro Gomes keeps moving.
Castro Gomes has Sappy pulled in close to control his posture.
Bob Sappy overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sappy looking to pass the guard.
Castro Gomes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Jerome Castro Gomes has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Sappy shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Castro Gomes sprawls well. Castro Gomes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sappy gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Sappy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Castro Gomes tries to clinch there but Sappy circles away.
Sappy goes for a double leg but Castro Gomes avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Castro Gomes continues to drive forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Castro Gomes ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Castro Gomes no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Castro Gomes wants to stand up but Sappy is controlling him.
Sappy chips away with some ground and pound.
Castro Gomes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sappy manages to get himself to full guard.
Sappy 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.
Sappy wants to get back to his feet but Castro Gomes is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Castro Gomes trying to control but Sappy is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bob Sappy.
I think Sappy has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Sappy!
After winning the bout, Bob Sappy thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.