PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Herschel Mathis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cristian Gavrilescu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cristian Gavrilescu has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Mathis
vs
Gavrilescu

187 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

195 cm
25
220 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Herschel Mathis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cristian Gavrilescu!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Konstantin Menshow and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gavrilescu clinches with his opponent.
Mathis is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Gavrilescu is keeping busy.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mathis.

Mathis pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Gavrilescu gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mathis can't get the takedown.
Mathis has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gavrilescu is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mathis stalling in the clinch but Gavrilescu improves position.

Mathis breaks the clinch.

Mathis clinches up against the cage.

Gavrilescu tightens his grip and picks Mathis up, before dumping him to the ground. Mathis manages to land in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Mathis is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mathis is working an open guard so Gavrilescu takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Mathis forces Gavrilescu back against the cage and clinches.

Mathis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Gavrilescu shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mathis is trying to defend but Gavrilescu finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mathis tries to roll over but Gavrilescu keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Mathis clinches up with Gavrilescu and pushes him back against the cage.
Mathis goes for a takedown attempt but Gavrilescu pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Herschel Mathis. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mathis clinches up with Gavrilescu and pushes him back against the cage.
Gavrilescu blocks an uppercut.
A short right from Mathis on the inside.
Gavrilescu misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mathis.

Mathis pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Gavrilescu drops Mathis with a left and a right! Oh, Mathis is hurt - Gavrilescu dives into side control looking to finish!

Mathis is rocked!

It looks like Herschel Mathis has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mathis is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Oh Mathis is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Gavrilescu decides to stand back up.

Gavrilescu takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gavrilescu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Gavrilescu takes the fight into the clinch.

Gavrilescu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mathis backs away from a small jab... but Gavrilescu lunges forward with a huge superman punch! Mathis crumples to the ground as his mouth piece is sent flying! Gavrilescu with a spectacular finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:12 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Superman Punch). Cristian Gavrilescu!