PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Muay Thai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manvel Gamburyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thai comes to the cage accompanied by Deadly Muay Thai Skills. Gamburyan has chosen Gamburyan vs. Brown on April 24th as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thai
vs
Gamburyan

225 cm
42
300 lbs
19 - 30 - 1

165 cm
43
252 lbs
14 - 29 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 19 - 30 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Muay Thai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 29 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Manvel Gamburyan!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Viktor Lagutenko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thai misses with the combination.
Gamburyan misses with the combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gamburyan has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Thai after a bit of a struggle.
Thai putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gamburyan in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Gamburyan blocks an elbow strike.
Thai misses with a knee to the head.
Gamburyan can't get the takedown.

Gamburyan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thai moves in looking to clinch but Gamburyan pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gamburyan closes the distance and clinches up with Thai, looking for a takedown. Gamburyan pushes Thai against the cage but Thai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Muay Thai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manvel Gamburyan.

Thai fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gamburyan, pushing him back against the cage.
Thai scores with a knee to the head.
Thai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Gamburyan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Thai looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gamburyan shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gamburyan showed some decent athleticism there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thai wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gamburyan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gamburyan has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Thai wants to get back to his feet.

Gamburyan is trying to work for a kimura but Thai is defending well.
Thai is trying to stand up here but Gamburyan is controlling him well.

Gamburyan is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Thai is defending against the submission attempts here by Gamburyan.
Thai is trying to stand up here but Gamburyan is controlling him well.
Gamburyan trying to control from half guard but Thai is working away.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gamburyan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Thai takes the fight into the clinch.
Gamburyan wants to take the fight to the mat but Thai manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gamburyan is looking to take this one to the mat.
Thai lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Manvel Gamburyan has been cut.
Thai landing knees to the head.
Thai looking to throw knees to the head but Gamburyan is blocking nicely.
Gamburyan is looking to break free of the clinch but Thai has double underhooks.

Thai manages to break the clinch.
A slapping body kick lands there for Gamburyan.
Gamburyan has a takedown stuffed.

Gamburyan looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Thai wants to stand and escape but Gamburyan is having none of it.
My spies in Warrior MMA and Fitness inform me that Gamburyan has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Gamburyan trying to control but Thai is working from the bottom.
Thai will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Gamburyan prevents Thai from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gamburyan working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thai's head.
Thai is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gamburyan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Gamburyan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Thai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Muay Thai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gamburyan fails with a takedown attempt.
Thai is looking to clinch but Gamburyan is avoiding it.
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 Muay Thai will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Manvel Gamburyan's cut.
That's time! Thai's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Thai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gamburyan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thai.
Thai is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Gamburyan.

Thai gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Thai wriggles free and stands up.
Gamburyan lunges at Thai with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Thai's hand.

Gamburyan manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Thai on his heels. He'll look to pass Thai's guard now, I'm sure.
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!
Gamburyan throwing strikes from guard but Thai blocks nicely.
Gamburyan prevents Thai from getting back to his feet.
Gamburyan trying to control but Thai is working from the bottom.
Gamburyan is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gamburyan won't allow Thai to get back to his feet.
Thai trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Gamburyan sitting in guard here, content to control.
Gamburyan wants to control from the top but Thai keeps moving.
Thai is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gamburyan is controlling him.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gamburyan looks for a takedown but Thai sprawls well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gamburyan is defended easily by Thai.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gamburyan.
Muay Thai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manvel Gamburyan.

Thai moves into range and clinches up with Gamburyan.

Gamburyan manages to break the clinch.
Thai tries to close the distance and clinch but Gamburyan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Thai. No joy for Gamburyan on that attempt.
Thai tries to close the distance and clinch but Gamburyan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Thai tries to clinch up but Gamburyan circles away and keeps his distance.

Thai moves into the clinch successfully.
Thai with a knee to the head.
Gamburyan is breathing heavily.

Thai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Muay Thai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thai lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Thai rushes Gamburyan and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Thai tries a knee to the head but Gamburyan blocks it.
Gamburyan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gamburyan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thai gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Gamburyan gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Thai regains guard.
Gamburyan prevents Thai from getting back to his feet.

Thai uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Thai stuffs the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thai lands with a slapping head kick.
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!
Gamburyan shoots in looking for a takedown but Thai manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gamburyan's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Thai doesn't manage to clinch there - Gamburyan circles away.
Good leg kick by Thai there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Gamburyan closes the distance and clinches up with Thai, looking for a takedown. Gamburyan pushes Thai against the cage but Thai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Thai tries to clinch but Gamburyan is having none of it.
Gamburyan with the counter takedown but Thai avoids it easily.
Thai tries to clinch up.
Gamburyan tries for a takedown but Thai circles away easily

and Thai moves into the clinch.
Thai connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gamburyan's face.
Thai misses with a knee to the head.

Gamburyan is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Thai can't fight it off and eventually Gamburyan manages to take the fight to the floor. Thai looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Thai keeping moving, preventing Gamburyan from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Muay Thai dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Manvel Gamburyan's cut.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Thai instigates a clinch.
Thai tries a knee to the head but Gamburyan blocks it.
Thai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Thai manages to break the clinch.
Thai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gamburyan circles away quickly and effectively.
Gamburyan fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gamburyan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Thai throws a big counter combination but Gamburyan scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Gamburyan misses with a double jab

and Thai counters by clinching up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Thai gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Thai prevents the takedown attempt.
Muay Thai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manvel Gamburyan.
Gamburyan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Thai manages to break the clinch.

Thai has taken the fight to the clinch.
Thai lands a damaging elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gamburyan can't get the takedown.
Thai throws an elbow but it misses.
Thai tries to land a knee to the head but Gamburyan blocks with his arms.
Thai connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gamburyan's face.

Thai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Muay Thai is winning the standup battle so far.
Thai wants to clinch.

Gamburyan gets the takedown into side control.
Thai is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gamburyan wants to control for a moment but Thai uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Gamburyan is looking to take a break and control but Thai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thai is trying to stand back up but Gamburyan is controlling him
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gamburyan connects with a nice short shot to Thai's temple.

Gamburyan looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Thai looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gamburyan.
Gamburyan shoots for a double leg takedown but Thai sprawls well. He's pushed Gamburyan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Thai fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thai tries to clinch but Gamburyan moves out of range.
Thai lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thai looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And Gamburyan tries to counter it with a takedown but Thai pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gamburyan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thai circles away quickly and effectively.
Thai wants to clinch up but Gamburyan keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gamburyan looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gamburyan won't allow Thai to get back to his feet.

Thai is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Gamburyan presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Thai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Thai moves in looking to clinch but Gamburyan pushes him off.
Gamburyan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Thai as he avoids it easily.
It looked like Thai was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Gamburyan.

Gamburyan shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Thai napping and manages to drive through into side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thai is trying to get back to his feet.
Manvel Gamburyan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Muay Thai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gamburyan throwing shots but missing, from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Muay Thai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Thai, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27

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