PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Patryk Kowalski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Florent Gunines (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Patryk Kowalski has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Kowalski
vs
Gunines

187 cm
25
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

189 cm
25
192 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Patryk Kowalski !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Florent Gunines!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Josh West and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gunines closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
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.
You can see the frustration on Kowalski 's face as Gunines controls the position.
Gunines throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The strikes coming from Gunines are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Kowalski is trying to control Gunines's posture but Gunines avoids it.
Kowalski is looking for a sweep.
Kowalski avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Gunines.
Gunines in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalski tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gunines wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kowalski is working hard here to advance position.
Kowalski regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski wants to control but Gunines is keeping busy.
Kowalski blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gunines.

Kowalski actively working from the bottom here.
Kowalski is in trouble now - Gunines has advanced to mount!
Kowalski is trying to escape the mount.
Gunines content just to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gunines sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Kowalski tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kowalski tries to hold on but Gunines postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunines tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Kowalski is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Gunines content just to control the position here.
Kowalski is in all sorts of trouble here.
Gunines content just to control the position here.
Kowalski wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Gunines.
Gunines sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunines punching from mount but Kowalski doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Kowalski blocking the ground and pound.
Gunines tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Kowalski tries to hold on but Gunines postures up.
Kowalski tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gunines punching from mount but Kowalski doing a good job of avoiding damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Florent Gunines dominated that round.
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.

Kowalski throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gunines tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kowalski is in Gunines's guard.

Gunines has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Kowalski is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Gunines pulls guard successfully.
Kowalski trying to control the position from guard on top but Gunines is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gunines working a defensive guard here.
Kowalski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalski postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kowalski throwing strikes but missing.
Kowalski trying to control but Gunines is working from the bottom.
Gunines has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kowalski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kowalski stands and throws Gunines's legs to the side, diving into side control.
What's Gunines going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Kowalski trying to control the action but Gunines is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gunines is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Gunines's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gunines has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gunines tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Kowalski easily slips into full mount!
Gunines slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kowalski is looking for a kimura but Gunines is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kowalski to get the leverage.
Kowalski lands with a punch from half guard.
Kowalski working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kowalski drops an elbow to the side of Gunines's head.
Gunines gets full guard.
Kowalski trying to control the position from guard on top but Gunines is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kowalski throws a big elbow that misses.
Kowalski trying to control the position from guard on top but Gunines is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kowalski has gone for a leg lock! Gunines slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kowalski 's guard.

Kowalski not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Florent Gunines has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kowalski trying to strike off his back.
Gunines controlling from the top position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Patryk Kowalski will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gunines clinches with his opponent.

Gunines has hold of one of Kowalski 's legs. Kowalski is fighting the takedown attempt but Gunines gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Gunines throws an elbow that misses. Kowalski uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gunines's guard. Nice move by Kowalski !

Gunines throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Kowalski postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gunines utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunines wants to sweep but no luck.
Kowalski wants to pass the guard but Gunines is keeping the position.
Gunines is pulling down on Kowalski 's head to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski trying to control the position from guard on top but Gunines is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gunines is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kowalski with a nice head shot there.
Kowalski with a flurry of punches that miss.

Gunines has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kowalski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kowalski has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kowalski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gunines works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kowalski distracts Gunines with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Gunines looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kowalski has picked Gunines up and slammed him! Gunines can't keep hold of the triangle and Kowalski manages to pass to side control!
Kowalski trying to control the action but Gunines is working from the bottom.
Gunines gets back to half guard.
Kowalski works his way into side control.
Gunines is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunines is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kowalski 's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Gunines manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Kowalski keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Gunines drags the fight down to the ground.
Kowalski wants to control from the top but Gunines keeps moving.
Gunines keeping full guard, as Kowalski tries to pass.

Gunines has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Kowalski off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gunines as he jumps to the side.
Gunines misses with a double jab.
Gunines tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kowalski swivels and escapes.
Kowalski tries to counter with a takedown but Gunines is quick to defend against it.
Gunines gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Kowalski counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gunines keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
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!
Kowalski tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gunines sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kowalski somewhat.
Gunines unleashes a big counter combination but Kowalski bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Patryk Kowalski . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gunines stuffs the takedown.
Kowalski tries for a takedown but Gunines circles away easily

and Gunines moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Florent Gunines comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gunines has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Florent Gunines!