PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Oroku Saki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gage Gagnetti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gagnetti has chosen Voodoo People - Pendulum Remix as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Saki
vs
Gagnetti

178 cm
23
157 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

175 cm
21
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Demonic Clothing

Diamond Design Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Oroku Saki!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gage Gagnetti!
The judges for this bout are , and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gagnetti bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Gagnetti gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gagnetti scores with a knee to the head.
Saki can't get the takedown.
Gagnetti using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Saki has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Gagnetti stalling against the cage.
Gagnetti with a knee to the head.
Saki takes a knee right on the jaw!
Saki has Gagnetti pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gagnetti manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Saki is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oroku Saki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saki drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The is referee keeping an eye on Gagnetti - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Saki gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Saki is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Gagnetti has managed to free his arm - good work.
Gagnetti is looking to control Saki's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gagnetti avoid being mounted?
Gagnetti keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Saki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saki trying to control the pace.
Saki has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Saki prevents Gagnetti from standing back up.
Gagnetti keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gagnetti taking some punishment here, with Saki in his half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Gagnetti throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Saki stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Saki is breathing heavily.

Gagnetti has managed to clinch.
Gagnetti tries to land a knee to the head but Saki blocks with his arms.
Saki is working for takedown but Gagnetti is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gagnetti looking to throw knees to the head but Saki is blocking nicely.
Gagnetti tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gagnetti landing knees to the head.
Gagnetti landing knees to the head.
Saki changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gagnetti fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gagnetti throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gagnetti lands a head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Gagnetti.

Saki is rocked!
Gagnetti keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gagnetti tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gagnetti.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gagnetti is looking to slow Saki down with leg kicks.
Gagnetti looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Gagnetti clinches up against the cage.
Gagnetti scores with a knee to the head.
Gagnetti lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Gagnetti connects with a nasty looking knee right to Saki's face.
Knees in the clinch landing for Gagnetti.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Saki takes an elbow to the forehead.
Saki takes an elbow to the temple.
Gagnetti connects with a knee to the head.
Gagnetti looking to slow down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagnetti is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Gagnetti throws an elbow that misses.
Saki on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Saki gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Saki lands with a punch from half guard.
Saki thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Gagnetti to regain full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saki postures up.
Gagnetti is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Saki connects with a couple of short punches.
Saki cracks Gagnetti with a solid left hand.
Gagnetti is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Saki working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saki advances to half guard.
Ground and pound from Saki.
Gagnetti tries to kick Saki off but Saki keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gagnetti keeping control of the position.
Saki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gagnetti defending well though.
Gagnetti is looking to improve his position.
Gagnetti wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Saki lands a nice short elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gage Gagnetti dominated that round.
That's time! Saki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Saki shoots in but no luck this time.
Gagnetti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Saki takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Gagnetti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saki shoots in but Gagnetti avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Good work by Saki as he checks the leg kick.
Saki tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Saki swings for the body but Gagnetti moves out of range.

Gagnetti closes the distance and clinches.
Gagnetti is pressed up against the cage. Saki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Gagnetti down to the mat. Gagnetti avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oroku Saki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gagnetti lands a nice leg kick that just misses Saki's sensitive parts.
Saki checks a leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saki drops his hands momentarily and Gagnetti takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Saki 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagnetti working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Saki.
Gagnetti can't keep his opponent in guard - Saki advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Saki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Gagnetti trying to control from the bottom.
Saki stops Gagnetti from getting back to his feet.

Saki is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gagnetti is just riding it out for now. Saki eventually gives up the hold.
Saki throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Gagnetti kicks off Saki and gets to his feet.
Saki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gagnetti lands the left hand.

Gagnetti clinches.
Gagnetti is pressed up against the cage. Saki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Gagnetti down to the mat. Gagnetti avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gagnetti lunges at Saki with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Saki's hand.
Gagnetti fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gagnetti changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Saki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gagnetti as he jumps to the side.

Gagnetti moves into the clinch.
Saki tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gagnetti tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gagnetti with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagnetti lands a knee to the head.
Saki can't get the takedown.
Gagnetti tries to land a knee to the head but Saki blocks with his arms.
Gagnetti stalling in the clinch but Saki improves position.
Gagnetti misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Saki.
Gagnetti is pressed up against the cage. Saki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Gagnetti down to the mat. Gagnetti avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gagnetti thuds a left hand into Saki's body.
Nice sprawl there from Gagnetti as Saki shoots in.
Gagnetti looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Saki feints and as Gagnetti raises his hands in defense, Saki changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Saki wants to pass the guard but Gagnetti is keeping the position.

Gagnetti has an active guard here but Saki has managed to pass into half guard.
Gagnetti is trying to stand up here but Saki is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagnetti trying to control but Saki postures up.
Saki is pressing down on Gagnetti's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gagnetti is holding on for now.
Gagnetti tries to get to full guard but Saki has control of the leg.
Saki works his foot free and advances to mount.
Gagnetti tries to buck Saki off but he can't manage it.
Saki raining down shots from the mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gage Gagnetti will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Saki throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gagnetti's waist but Gagnetti gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Saki off to one side.
Jab from Gagnetti.
Gagnetti stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Gagnetti gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Saki drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Knees to the body from Gagnetti.

Saki gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Gagnetti regains guard.
Saki stops Gagnetti from standing up.
Saki tries to free his leg and advance position but Gagnetti is retaining full guard.
Gagnetti wants to stand and escape but Saki is having none of it.
Saki sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gagnetti's guard.

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

Saki is working for a kimura but Gagnetti is defending it quite comfortably.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagnetti pushes Saki off looking to stand but Saki dives back in and keeps control.
Gagnetti missing with punches from the bottom.
Saki wants to free his trapped foot but Gagnetti is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ground and pound from Saki.
Gagnetti tries to kick Saki off but Saki keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Saki seems to be looking for submissions.
Saki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Saki is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gagnetti is pressing down on Saki's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Saki looking to pass the guard.

Saki drops back, looking for a kneebar! Gagnetti looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Gagnetti looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Gagnetti!
Saki is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Gagnetti's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Gagnetti trying to pass the guard but Saki defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagnetti tries to stand and escape but Saki is controlling the position.
Gagnetti is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Saki slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gagnetti trying to control but Saki is working from the bottom.
Gagnetti would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Saki keeping moving, preventing Gagnetti from controlling successfully.
Gagnetti wanted to stand there but Saki had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Saki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oroku Saki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gagnetti scores with a body shot.

Saki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Gagnetti looking for a sweep. Not yet Gagnetti, not yet.
Gagnetti avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gagnetti is looking to stand up but Saki isn't so interested in that idea.
Saki is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Saki drops back looking for a leg! Gagnetti is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gagnetti manages to kick Saki off! Saki jumps back into Gagnetti's guard.
Gagnetti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Saki is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oroku Saki clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Saki has a takedown stuffed.
Gagnetti lands with a thumping leg kick.
A solid body kick from Gagnetti.
Saki fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters circling a little - Gagnetti finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Gagnetti cracks Saki with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Gagnetti moves into the clinch successfully.
Gagnetti comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Knees in the clinch landing for Gagnetti.
Stalling in the clinch from Gagnetti.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Gagnetti throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Saki blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagnetti using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Saki has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Saki goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gagnetti prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oroku Saki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gagnetti connects with a nasty looking knee right to Saki's face.
Saki is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Gagnetti gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Saki drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gagnetti unloads a knee to the mid-section. Saki lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Saki works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Saki trying to control but Gagnetti is working from the bottom.

Saki is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Gagnetti is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Gagnetti has escaped and now he's on top!
Saki is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Saki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gagnetti is trying to maintain the position but Saki is very close to passing his half guard.
Gagnetti is refusing to be controlled, as Saki sits in half guard.
Gagnetti wants to get back to his feet.

Saki is looking for a kimura but Gagnetti is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Saki to get the leverage.

Saki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gagnetti doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Saki.
Gagnetti avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Saki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Gagnetti gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gagnetti is pressed up against the cage. Saki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Gagnetti down to the mat. Gagnetti avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nice body kick there by Gagnetti.
Gagnetti lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Saki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Gagnetti 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.
Saki throwing strikes but missing.
Saki keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gagnetti's head.
Gagnetti working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Saki.
Saki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagnetti wants to stand up but Saki is controlling him.
Saki chips away with some ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Saki misses with a takedown attempt - Gagnetti sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Gagnetti.
Oroku Saki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Saki with that takedown attempt.
Saki is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gagnetti scoring well with a low kick there.
Saki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A nice combination there by Gagnetti.
Saki shoots for a double leg takedown but Gagnetti sprawls well. He's pushed Saki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gage Gagnetti dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Saki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gagnetti as he avoids it easily.
Saki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gagnetti as he jumps to the side.
Good shot there by Gagnetti.
Saki sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Gagnetti instigates a clinch.
Gagnetti lands an elbow inside.
Gagnetti throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gagnetti connects with a nasty looking knee right to Saki's face.
Saki drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oroku Saki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gagnetti scores with a knee to the head.
Gagnetti unloads a knee to the mid-section. Saki lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Gagnetti scores a nice knee to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Saki goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gagnetti prevents it.
Gagnetti lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Gagnetti is pressed up against the cage. Saki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Gagnetti down to the mat. Gagnetti avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gagnetti fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saki shoots in but no luck this time.
A nice combination there by Gagnetti.
Gage Gagnetti seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saki fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Saki has a takedown stuffed.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Saki is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Gagnetti gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gagnetti throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gagnetti with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Gagnetti is fighting off a takedown attempt but Saki is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Gagnetti to the mat. Gagnetti regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Gagnetti keeping full guard, as Saki tries to pass.
Gagnetti is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saki working some strikes from top position.
Gagnetti is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gagnetti is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Gagnetti throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Gagnetti is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Saki slips nicely into half guard.
Saki prevents Gagnetti from standing back up.

Saki has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Gagnetti defend it? Saki steps over the head and cranks it - Gagnetti is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Saki!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Oroku Saki!
Oroku Saki retains his lightweight title!