PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Christian Crespo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dustin Gardner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gardner has chosen Howlin' at the Moon as his entrance music. Dustin Gardner has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Crespo
vs
Gardner

165 cm
25
137 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

170 cm
25
134 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Christian Crespo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dustin Gardner!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gardner avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gardner lands a nice looking kick to the body. Crespo takes a step back to recover.

Gardner fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Crespo sprawls well initially but Gardner persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Crespo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Crespo.

Gardner drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Crespo manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gardner has Crespo in his guard.

Crespo tries to stand but Gardner is controlling from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crespo trying to control but Gardner is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crespo with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Gardner has his foot on Crespo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Crespo works his way back into a safe position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Crespo stands up over Gardner, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Gardner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gardner being controlled here, momentarily.

Gardner has his foot on Crespo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Crespo works his way back into a safe position though.
Crespo sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Gardner has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Crespo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Crespo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gardner is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Crespo is aware though and is defending well.
Crespo trying to control the position from guard on top but Gardner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Crespo wants to pass the guard but Gardner is keeping the position.
Crespo is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Crespo is working Gardner over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Crespo is in close to Gardner's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gardner trying to control the position.

Crespo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gardner is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Crespo is aware though and is defending well.

Crespo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gardner has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Crespo has managed to get both his arms back between Gardner's legs - danger averted.
Gardner is trying to keep Crespo in close.
Crespo scoring with some ground and pound.
Crespo passes Gardner's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gardner trying to control but Crespo postures up.

Gardner is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Crespo pulls his head out easily.
Gardner is staying active underneath Crespo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gardner is looking for a sweep. Crespo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner taking some punishment here, with Crespo in his half guard.
Crespo is thwarting Gardner's attempts to control the position.
Crespo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Crespo working Gardner over with strikes.
Gardner trying to control here.

Gardner looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gardner looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gardner tries to get to full guard but Crespo has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Crespo 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.

Gardner has a takedown stuffed.
Dustin Gardner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice body punch from Gardner.
Crespo scores with a head kick. Gardner tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Crespo misses with a few strikes there.
Crespo feints a jab promting Gardner to slip. Crespo then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Gardner slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Gardner works over Crespo's head and body with a nice combination.
Crespo leaves Gardner with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
As Gardner tries to get set, Crespo tries to push him back and clinch up but Gardner manages to avoid the attempt.
Gardner takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Gardner is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Crespo connects with a jab, followed by a picture perfect straight right that sends Gardner to the canvas, out cold! What a finish by Crespo!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Christian Crespo!
A very excited looking Christian Crespo made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.