PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Gooden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thibault Michel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Gooden could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Thibault Michel's chin.

Gooden
vs
Michel

212 cm
18
280 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
25
255 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Michael Gooden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Thibault Michel!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Dirk Anderson and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gooden looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Michel is fending him off so far but Gooden persists. Nope, Michel circles away and we're back to standing.
Michel lands with a kick to the ribs.

Michel closes the distance and clinches.
Gooden tries to land a knee to the head but Michel blocks with his arms.
Michel presses Gooden against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gooden has Michel pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Michel manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Michel is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Gooden has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Michel avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Gooden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gooden using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Michel has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Michel digs a right hand into Gooden's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gooden's gas tank.
Gooden is trying to drag Michel to the mat but Michel just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Gooden has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Michel after a bit of a struggle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gooden misses with a knee strike.

Michel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Michel shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gooden but Gooden pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gooden changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Gooden closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Michel quickly recovers to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michel wants to get back to his feet.
Gooden knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Michel on the ground.
Michel is trying is best to control the position here.

Gooden is trying to work for a kimura but Michel is defending well.
Gooden thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Michel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Michel.

Michel kicks Gooden off and gets to his feet.
Gooden shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Michel defends it nicely.

Gooden shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Michel manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Gooden looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Gooden postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gooden has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michel controlling Gooden's posture.

Gooden is sitting in close to Michel's body. Michel has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Gooden is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Gooden is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Michel.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Thibault Michel!
An out of breath Thibault Michel thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.