PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Felix Gaeta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Even Steven (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gaeta comes into the arena with B.Y.O.B. blaring out of the sound system. Steven is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Bodies Hit the Floor. Even Steven has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Felix Gaeta's chin.

Gaeta
vs
Steven

170 cm
22
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

169 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Syndicate Drugs
Team S.W.A.T.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Felix Gaeta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Even Steven!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gaeta shoots in looking for a takedown. Steven tries to sprawl out of it but Gaeta keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Steven manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gaeta shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice sprawl there from Steven as Gaeta shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Felix Gaeta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steven shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Felix Gaeta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steven misses with a takedown

and Gaeta decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Steven's guard.
Steven working a defensive guard here.
Gaeta looking to pass the guard.
Steven working a defensive guard here.
Gaeta stopping the sweep attempt from Steven.

Gaeta stands up and waves to Steven to follow him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Steven looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steven looks to clinch

and Gaeta counters with a takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Steven dodges the ground and pound from Gaeta.
Steven wants to control but Gaeta postures up.

Gaeta tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gaeta has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gaeta is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Steven knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gaeta is breathing heavily.
Gaeta postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Steven is trying to control Gaeta's posture but Gaeta avoids it.
Gaeta misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gaeta looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Gaeta 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.
Steven struggling a bit here.
Steven gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Steven tries to get to full guard but Gaeta has control of the leg.

Steven is defending against the submission attempts here by Gaeta.
Steven moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaeta won't allow Steven to sweep him here.
Steven wants to stand up but Gaeta is controlling him.
Steven keeping full guard, as Gaeta tries to pass.
Steven is looking to stand up but Gaeta isn't so interested in that idea.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Steven has his takedown stuffed

and Gaeta counters with a takedown into side control.

Gaeta tries for a kimura but Steven is defending well.
Gaeta lands a nice forearm strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gaeta looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Gaeta landing strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steven is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Gaeta stands up.

Gaeta feints and as Steven raises his hands in defense, Gaeta changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gaeta looking to pass the guard.

Gaeta drops back looking for a leg! Steven is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Steven manages to kick Gaeta off! Gaeta jumps back into Steven's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gaeta wants to clinch up but Steven keeps it at a distance.

Steven gets caught flat footed, as Gaeta shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Steven wants to stand but Gaeta is controlling the position.
Felix Gaeta overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gaeta with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gaeta won't allow Steven to sweep him here.

Gaeta drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gaeta jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Steven has his feet on Gaeta's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Steven gets the takedown into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gaeta gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steven wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gaeta keeps working.
Gaeta regains full guard. Nicely done.

Gaeta looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Steven avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Steven avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Steven trying to control the position from guard on top but Gaeta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gaeta looking for a guillotine here but Steven defends easily.
Steven stays in close to Gaeta's body and controls the position.
Gaeta lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Steven!
Gaeta putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Gaeta looking for a guillotine from mount but Steven is having none of it.
Steven tries to hold on but Gaeta pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gaeta is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

Steven gets the takedown into side control.
Gaeta regains half guard.
Steven is pressing down on Gaeta's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gaeta is holding on for now.

Steven decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Gaeta tries to clinch there but Steven circles away.

Gaeta clinches up against the cage.
Gaeta using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Steven has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Gaeta throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Steven blocks it with crossed arms.
Steven looking to stall.
Gaeta wants a takedown but no success here.
Steven is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gaeta successfully pulls guard.

Gaeta has his foot on Steven's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Steven works his way back into a safe position though.
Steven lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gaeta throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Gaeta working for a triangle but Steven defends it easily.

Gaeta has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Steven can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Steven decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Gaeta, up you get!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Felix Gaeta dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gaeta tries to clinch there but Steven circles away.
Gaeta has his takedown stuffed

and Steven counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Gaeta tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gaeta tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Steven wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gaeta has him pressed against the cage.
Steven tries for a takedown but Gaeta manages to get underhooks.
Steven tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gaeta just stands there and leans against the cage.

Gaeta gets control of Steven's arms and successfully pulls guard. Gaeta will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Gaeta had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Steven is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Gaeta Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Steven's back instead.

Gaeta looking for the choke but no joy.
Gaeta doesn't have the hooks in and Steven manages to turn into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gaeta is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Steven stands up and waves to Gaeta to follow him.
Felix Gaeta is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Steven drives through and clinches with Gaeta against the cage.
Steven fails to pull guard.
Felix Gaeta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Even Steven.

Gaeta pulls guard effortlessly.
Steven stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gaeta swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gaeta manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Gaeta has control of Steven's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Steven regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steven wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Gaeta.
Steven is looking to improve his position but Gaeta isn't that keen on the idea.
Steven wants to hold on but Gaeta pushes him away.

Gaeta looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Gaeta throws some wild stikes that Steven manages to avoid easily.

Gaeta gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Gaeta scores with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gaeta looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gaeta in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gaeta wants to pass the guard but Steven is keeping the position.
Gaeta is working hard here to advance position.
Steven controls Gaeta momentarily but Gaeta frees himself.

Gaeta stands up from Steven's guard - Gaeta perhaps looking for a knockout.
Gaeta wants to clinch up but Steven keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaeta tries to close the distance and clinch up but Steven swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Steven instigates a clinch.

Gaeta manages to break the clinch.
Gaeta closes the distance and clinches up with Steven, looking for a takedown. Gaeta pushes Steven against the cage but Steven circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Steven darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Felix Gaeta is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gaeta trying to control here.
Gaeta is trying to get back to full guard.
Gaeta blocking the ground and pound attempt from Steven.

And that's the end of the fight!
Felix Gaeta showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gaeta, 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 Suge Night scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Felix Gaeta!