PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Travis Gillespie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zane Legion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gillespie
vs
Legion

211 cm
24
161 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

167 cm
25
159 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Travis Gillespie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Zane Legion!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Radbod Blank and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gillespie blocks a head kick by Legion.
Legion fails with a takedown attempt.

Gillespie gets tackled into the cage by Legion. Legion maintains the clinch.
Gillespie taking a breather.
Gillespie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Legion to keep the fight standing.
Legion stops a takedown attempt from Gillespie.
Gillespie working hard to break the clinch.
Gillespie is trying to break the clinch but Legion has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gillespie stalling.

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

Legion closes the distance and clinches.
Gillespie lands with a light punch inside.
Gillespie tries to pull guard but Legion forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Travis Gillespie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legion has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gillespie after a bit of a struggle.
Legion drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gillespie slows down the pace here.
Gillespie fails to pull guard.
Legion drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gillespie pulls his leg out and moves away.
Gillespie avoids the head kick by Legion.
Gillespie drops down looking for a counter takedown but Legion sprawls and moves away.
Gillespie cracks Legion with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Legion throws a sloppy head kick and Gillespie moves out of range easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Legion.

Gillespie sneaks out the side door and pushes Legion away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legion has his takedown stuffed

and Gillespie counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Legion jumps into guard, dragging Gillespie to the mat.

Gillespie gets to his feet. Legion looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Gillespie pushes Legion up against the cage in a clinch.
Legion being controlled against the cage.

Legion breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gillespie works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Gillespie throws a nice inside leg kick.

Gillespie has closed the distance and engaged Legion in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gillespie pulls guard successfully.
Legion trying to control but Gillespie is working from the bottom.
Legion is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Gillespie wants to stand and escape but Legion is having none of it.

Gillespie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Gillespie looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Legion passes into half guard.
Legion is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Legion landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Legion prevents Gillespie from standing back up.
Legion slows the pace down in half guard.
Legion is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Gillespie!
Legion lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Legion takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Travis Gillespie will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Legion clinches up against the cage.

Gillespie jumps into guard, dragging Legion to the mat.
Legion trying to control the position from guard on top but Gillespie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Legion prevents Gillespie from getting back to his feet.
Gillespie really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Gillespie keeping moving, preventing Legion from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gillespie throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gillespie keeping moving, preventing Legion from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

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

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Legion dives in and grabs Gillespie's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gillespie pushes down on Legion's head and hops out.

Legion gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gillespie displaying some good clinch control by pressing Legion up against the cage.
Gillespie drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Legion gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Gillespie has clasped his hands together around Legion's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Legion throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legion looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gillespie is fending him off so far but Legion persists. Nope, Gillespie circles away and we're back to standing.

Legion scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Legion prevents Gillespie from escaping the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gillespie is letting Legion control him for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Legion thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Gillespie is not content to let Legion control the position.
Zane Legion has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Legion moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Gillespie wants to get back to his feet but Legion is dominant here and he's now got Gillespie's back!
Legion trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Gillespie doesn't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Let's hope that Legion has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Gillespie turns into Legion and is now in his guard.
Gillespie being controlled here momentarily.
Gillespie will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Gillespie postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Legion 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zane Legion showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Legion fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gillespie, pushing him back against the cage.
Gillespie avoiding damage.

Legion turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Gillespie sneaks out the side door and pushes Legion away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Legion has a takedown stuffed.
Gillespie throws a head kick but Legion moves out of range.
Legion fails with a takedown attempt.
Zane Legion is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gillespie scores with a nice strike.
Legion misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Legion takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gillespie.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Gillespie - that will leave a mark!

Legion looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Gillespie!

Gillespie explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Legion takes a swing at Gillespie's ribcage but misses.
Gillespie keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gillespie feinted with a counter takedown.
Travis Gillespie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zane Legion.
Legion takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gillespie shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Legion but Legion pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Legion fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gillespie dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Legion throws a head kick but Gillespie moves out of range.
Legion tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gillespie swivels and escapes.
Gillespie scores with a punch to the head.

Gillespie looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Legion!

Legion explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Legion moves into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Legion wants to get back to striking at distance but Gillespie won't allow it.
Gillespie is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Gillespie tries to pull guard but Legion holds him up against the cage and eventually Gillespie drops back down to his feet.
Gillespie leaning against his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gillespie fails to pull guard.
A bit of stalling here from Gillespie.
Gillespie content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Gillespie for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Gillespie throws a punch but it's blocked by Legion.
Gillespie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Legion's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Legion is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gillespie sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gillespie stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gillespie wants it to stay on the feet.
As Legion tries to get set, Gillespie tries to push him back and clinch up but Legion manages to avoid the attempt.

Gillespie drives through and clinches with Legion against the cage.
Legion is working for takedown but Gillespie is calmly controlling the position for now.

Gillespie drags the fight down to the ground.
Legion wanted to stand there but Gillespie had control of the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Travis Gillespie showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gillespie has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Travis Gillespie!