PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kosta Gatsalov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taufiqul Haq (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gatsalov
vs
Haq

192 cm
21
259 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

190 cm
28
255 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

AnonymouS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kosta Gatsalov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Taufiqul Haq!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Frank Dennis and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gatsalov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Haq throws out a counter right but Gatsalov avoids it with no problem.
Gatsalov darts in trying to clinch
and Haq cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gatsalov has been working on his balance at Bi-Polar Asylum LV's #1 Public Training Center , so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Haq.

Gatsalov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Haq sprawls well initially but Gatsalov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Haq is staying active underneath Gatsalov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gatsalov wants to pass the guard but Haq is defending well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Haq can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gatsalov is trying to work for a kimura but Haq is defending well.
Gatsalov is trying to control the action in half guard but Haq is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Gatsalov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Haq defends it well.
Haq is staying active underneath Gatsalov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gatsalov working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Haq's thigh. Haq counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gatsalov looking to pass the guard.
Gatsalov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Haq's guard.
Gatsalov wants to pass the guard but Haq is defending well.
Gatsalov trying to control the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gatsalov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsalov looking to control but Haq is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Haq really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gatsalov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Gatsalov working for a guillotine from mount but Haq is in no mood to give up.

Gatsalov looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gatsalov swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Haq is now in Gatsalov's guard. A big mistake from Gatsalov there, giving up the dominant position!
Haq trying to control the position from guard on top but Gatsalov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gatsalov wants to sweep here but Haq controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haq sitting in guard here, content to control.
Gatsalov managing to control the position.
Gatsalov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Gatsalov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Haq has passed into half guard!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gatsalov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kosta Gatsalov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gatsalov looks to clinch
and Haq counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Kosta Gatsalov has been cut.
Gatsalov shoots in but Haq avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gatsalov closes the distance but Haq moves to the side
and Haq counters with a series of strikes. Gatsalov will be more careful next time no doubt.
A jab from Haq misses.
Gatsalov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Haq manages to circle out of the way.

Haq closes the distance and pushes Gatsalov back into the cage.
Haq blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gatsalov tries to throw a body punch but Haq avoids it by throwing Gatsalov back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gatsalov jumps guard but Haq stands there with Gatsalov around his waist. Gatsalov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gatsalov fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kosta Gatsalov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Haq breaks the clinch.
Gatsalov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Haq throws out a counter right but Gatsalov avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gatsalov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gatsalov is trying to pull guard but Haq has him pressed against the cage.
Gatsalov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Haq smiles and moves away.
Gatsalov doesn't manage to clinch there - Haq circles away.
Haq moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Gatsalov tries to clinch up.
Haq misses with a body shot.
Haq has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gatsalov doesn't manage to clinch there - Haq circles away.
Gatsalov wants to clinch up but Haq keeps it at a distance.
A leg kick checked by Haq.
Gatsalov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Haq's waist but Haq gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gatsalov off to one side.
A little jabbing left from Haq on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gatsalov pushes Haq up against the cage in a clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Haq can't break the clinch.
Gatsalov is trying to pull guard but Haq has him pressed against the cage.
Gatsalov jumps guard but Haq stands there with Gatsalov around his waist. Gatsalov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gatsalov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Haq walks away with a smile on his face. Gatsalov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Gatsalov tries to clinch
and Haq counters with a nice uppercut.
Gatsalov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Haq manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gatsalov has a takedown stuffed.
A little jabbing left from Haq on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Gatsalov misses with a head kick.
Gatsalov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Haq counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsalov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Haq was well out of range. Poor timing from Gatsalov.

Haq pushes Gatsalov up against the cage in a clinch.
Gatsalov fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Haq successfully pulls guard.
Haq wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Gatsalov is now in half guard.

Gatsalov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Gatsalov prevents Haq from standing back up.
Haq felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Gatsalov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Haq knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatsalov is working hard here to advance position.

Gatsalov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Haq wants to control but Gatsalov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gatsalov is trying to control the action in half guard but Haq is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Haq is trying to stand back up but Gatsalov is controlling him
Gatsalov wants to control but Haq is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taufiqul Haq showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kosta Gatsalov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Haq circles away from the clinch attempt
and Haq counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Haq has managed to clinch.
Gatsalov is trying to pull guard but Haq turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Gatsalov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Haq just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gatsalov working aggressively here.
Gatsalov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Gatsalov tries to pull guard but Haq holds him up against the cage and eventually Gatsalov drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kosta Gatsalov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haq blocks a body shot from Gatsalov.
Gatsalov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Haq just stands there and leans against the cage.
Haq is trying to break the clinch but Gatsalov is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatsalov fails to pull guard.

Haq breaks the clinch.
Gatsalov misses with a hook
enabling Haq to counter with a crisp jab.
Haq avoids the body shot from Gatsalov.

Gatsalov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gatsalov can't find room to land a body shot as Haq controls the action.
Haq working hard to break the clinch.
Haq tries to break the clinch but Gatsalov is controlling the position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Haq.
Haq takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Taufiqul Haq has been cut.

Haq manages to break the clinch.
Gatsalov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gatsalov.
Haq looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Gatsalov tries to clinch up but Haq circles away and keeps his distance.
Gatsalov doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Haq to counter with a crisp jab.
Haq takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Gatsalov misses with a takedown
and Haq counters with a stiff right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Haq lands a jab-cross combination.
Gatsalov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Haq paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Haq! But no joy.
Gatsalov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Haq counters with a one-two to the body.
Kosta Gatsalov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gatsalov wants to clinch but Haq slips to the side
and Gatsalov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsalov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gatsalov tries to close the distance and clinch but Haq swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gatsalov fails with the takedown.
Gatsalov moves to clinch but Haq breaks away
and Haq counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Taufiqul Haq seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gatsalov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Haq might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Haq scores with a crisp jab that stopped Gatsalov in his tracks.
Gatsalov fails with a takedown attempt.
Haq circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Haq counter with a right hand.

Kosta Gatsalov's cut is getting worse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatsalov wants to clinch up but Haq keeps it at a distance.
Gatsalov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Haq manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Despite the aggression on Haq's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Haq circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gatsalov wants to clinch up but Haq keeps it at a distance.
Haq throws out a counter right but Gatsalov avoids it with no problem.
Haq lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gatsalov shoots in looking for a takedown but Haq manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gatsalov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Haq scores with a nice strike.
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!
Gatsalov misses with a takedown attempt

and Haq holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Haq's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gatsalov darts in trying to clinch
and Haq counters with a left to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taufiqul Haq comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Haq has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taufiqul Haq!