PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Angel Powers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alyssa Gano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Powers
vs
Gano

159 cm
22
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
20
135 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Angel Powers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alyssa Gano!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gano fails in his attempt to clinch.
Powers throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick by Powers misses

so Gano counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Powers is looking to stand up but Gano isn't so interested in that idea.
Gano is in close to Powers's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Powers lands an upkick as Gano stands over him.
Gano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Powers managing to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gano accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gano trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Powers manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powers prevents Gano from getting back to his feet.
Powers controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Powers trying to control the position from guard on top but Gano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Powers throwing strikes but missing.
Powers throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Powers distracts Gano with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Gano throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gano wants to stand and escape but Powers is having none of it.
Powers could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gano is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Powers wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Powers trying to hold on to Gano's head to control him but Gano postures up.
Gano tries to stand and escape but Powers is controlling the position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gano connects with a nice short shot to Powers's temple.
Powers trying to control but Gano postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gano is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Gano tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Powers.
Powers pushes Gano off looking to stand but Gano dives back in and keeps control.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Gano wants to work for an arm triangle but Powers is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gano with the ground and pound but Powers uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Powers wants to stand and escape but Gano is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Powers 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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Powers throws a head kick but Gano moves out of range.

Gano gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Powers gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gano.
Gano tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Powers smiles and moves away.
Powers lands with a kick to the temple. Gano shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alyssa Gano will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gano blocks a head kick by Powers.
Powers throws a head kick that misses

and Gano counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Powers!
Gano has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Gano is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Powers knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Gano tries for a kimura but Powers is defending well.

Gano looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Powers manages to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gano is keen to just control but Powers is a slippery customer.
Powers is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Powers wants to control but Gano is keeping busy.

Powers is defending against the submission attempts here by Gano.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gano in particular looking to stall.
Powers is looking to escape.
Powers might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Powers is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gano pulls his head out easily.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Gano missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Powers throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gano fails in his attempt to clinch.
Powers seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Powers will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gano doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Powers misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gano fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

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

Gano scores with a takedown into Powers's guard.
Gano is breathing heavily.
Gano slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Gano throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Powers wants to get back to his feet.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Gano working his ground and pound in the gym.
Gano working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gano looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Powers is avoiding damage well.
Powers is trying to control Gano's posture but Gano avoids it.
Powers is trying to get back to half guard.
Gano wants to control but Powers is keeping him busy.
Gano lands a few punches from side control.
Gano has control of an arm but Powers manages to advance to Gano's back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Powers doesn't have the hooks in and Gano manages to turn into his guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Powers keeping moving, preventing Gano from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alyssa Gano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gano clinches up with Powers and pushes him back against the cage.
Gano tries to pull guard but Powers won't allow it.
Powers stops a takedown attempt from Gano.
Powers gets underhooks to prevent Gano's takedown attempt.
Angel Powers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alyssa Gano.
Gano is looking for a takedown.
Powers gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gano.
Gano can't break the clinch.
Gano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Powers gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gano.
Gano wants a takedown but no success here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Powers jumps guard.

Powers kicks Gano off and gets to his feet.
Powers moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Powers misses with a wild combination.
Powers stuffs the takedown.
Powers misses with a head kick.
Gano changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Powers throws a head kick but Gano moves out of range.

Powers darts in and clinches Gano up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Powers turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Powers manages to end up in side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Powers working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gano is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Powers is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Gano to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Powers prevents Gano from getting back to his feet.
Powers has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Powers's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Powers landing some decent shots from guard.
Gano wants to stand up but Powers is controlling him.
Gano looking to control.
Gano wants to stand and escape but Powers is having none of it.
Gano working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Powers.

Powers drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Gano dives on top into guard.

Gano wants to pass the guard but Powers is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Powers working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gano doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gano manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Powers working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gano.
Powers wants to get back to his feet but Gano is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Powers keeping moving, preventing Gano from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gano throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Powers works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Angel Powers showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gano 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alyssa Gano!
After the fight, Alyssa Gano was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.