PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Akihiro Gomi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arshavir Nazaryan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akihiro Gomi could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Arshavir Nazaryan's chin.

Gomi
vs
Nazaryan

175 cm
21
150 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

177 cm
22
157 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Conviction

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akihiro Gomi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Arshavir Nazaryan!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Jeff Smith and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice shot lands for Gomi.

Nazaryan drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Gomi wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Nazaryan working the head with strikes.
Gomi defending against the ground and pound.
Gomi is looking for a sweep.
Nazaryan has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nazaryan 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.
Nazaryan with the ground and pound but Gomi regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Nazaryan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gomi keeps working.
Nazaryan looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazaryan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nazaryan wants to pass the guard but Gomi is defending well.
Gomi regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Nazaryan.
Nazaryan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gomi looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Nazaryan throwing strikes but missing.
Nazaryan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

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.
Nazaryan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nazaryan stops Gomi from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gomi throws a looping overhand right but Nazaryan ducks down to avoid it.
Nazaryan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gomi as he avoids it easily.

Gomi tries to sprawl but Nazaryan drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Nazaryan with the ground and pound but Gomi uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Gomi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nazaryan.
Nazaryan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nazaryan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gomi wants to stand but Nazaryan is controlling the position.
Nazaryan trying to control but Gomi is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazaryan is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nazaryan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gomi swivels and escapes.
A jab from Gomi misses.
Nazaryan shoots in for a takedown but Gomi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Akihiro Gomi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arshavir Nazaryan.
Nazaryan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gomi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gomi misses the jab.

Nazaryan bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Nazaryan trying to control the action but Gomi is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Nazaryan crashes against the mat.
Nazaryan throws a strike aimed at the side of Gomi's head but Gomi avoids it well.
Nazaryan is trying to move to mount but Gomi reverses beautifully and ends up in Nazaryan's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nazaryan is on top in guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nazaryan stops Gomi from standing up.
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 Akihiro Gomi will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nazaryan fails with the takedown
and Gomi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nazaryan shoots in but no luck this time.

Gomi moves into the clinch.
Gomi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Gomi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nazaryans head.
A head punch on the inside from Gomi fails to land.
Nazaryan looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
A shot in the inside from Gomi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nazaryan has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Gomi is trying to keep an underhook but Nazaryan manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Gomi is refusing to be controlled, as Nazaryan sits in half guard.
Nazaryan throwing shots but Gomi is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazaryan not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gomi looks like he's trying to stand up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nazaryan thows a huge punch but Gomi dodges it nicely.
Gomi is trying to stand back up but Nazaryan is controlling him
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Gomi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nazaryan.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nazaryan moves out of range as Gomi strikes.

Nazaryan gets a double leg takedown into Gomi's guard.
Nazaryan postures up in Gomi's guard and throws a big left but Gomi blocks it.
Nazaryan landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nazaryan is stalling in the full guard.
Gomi is looking to stand up but Nazaryan isn't so interested in that idea.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nazaryan's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gomi wants to get back to his feet but Nazaryan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Nazaryan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazaryan throws a strike but Gomi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Nazaryan striking off his back.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nazaryan is on top in guard.

Nazaryan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nazaryan controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gomi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gomi is looking to stand up but Nazaryan isn't so interested in that idea.
Gomi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazaryan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nazaryan looking to sit in guard and control but Gomi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gomi postures up.
Gomi stopping the sweep attempt from Nazaryan.

Gomi stands up from Nazaryan's guard - Gomi perhaps looking for a knockout.
Nazaryan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gomi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Akihiro Gomi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arshavir Nazaryan.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gomi walks into a jab.

Nazaryan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Gomi kicks Nazaryan off and gets to his feet.
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 Akihiro Gomi will probably get the nod.
That's time! Gomi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Gomi scores with a punch to the head.
Gomi swats away the attempt to clinch by Nazaryan.
Nazaryan tries to clinch but Gomi is having none of it.
Gomi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Gomi looks to land a right hand but Nazaryan moved out of range.
Nazaryan shoots in and drives through. Gomi sprawls well.

Nazaryan decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nazaryan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gomi's head.
Nazaryan thows a huge punch but Gomi dodges it nicely.
Gomi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nazaryan scores with a couple of nice shots.
Nazaryan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gomi's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazaryan drops an elbow to the side of Gomi's head.
Nazaryan is keen to just control but Gomi is a slippery customer.
Gomi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nazaryan.
Nazaryan thows a huge punch but Gomi dodges it nicely.
Nazaryan thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gomi is staying active underneath Nazaryan, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Nazaryan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nazaryan landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nazaryan wants to control but Gomi is keeping him busy.
Arshavir Nazaryan has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gomi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nazaryan.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nazaryan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gomi.
Nazaryan shoots in for a takedown but Gomi shows good takedown defense.
The fighters circle momentarily. Gomi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nazaryan fails with the takedown.
Akihiro Gomi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arshavir Nazaryan.
Gomi scores with a nice strike.
Nazaryan doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Gomi counter with a right hand.
A swing and a miss from Gomi.
Nazaryan darts in looking for a takedown but Gomi gets double underhooks and turns Nazaryan into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomi is looking to slow Nazaryan down with leg kicks.
Nazaryan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gomi pinned against the cage. Gomi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gomi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Akihiro Gomi is winning the standup battle so far.
Gomi throws a push kick but Nazaryan slaps the foot to one side.
Gomi stuffs the takedown attempt from Nazaryan. Nazaryan gets slowly back to his feet.
Nazaryan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gomi.
Gomi scores with a hook to the body. Nazaryan takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gomi is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Nazaryan scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Gomi regains half guard there - taking advantage of Nazaryan's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Arshavir Nazaryan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazaryan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nazaryan throwing shots but Gomi is blocking nicely.
Nazaryan not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nazaryan throws a strike but Gomi avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Nazaryan is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gomi looking for a sweep. Not yet Gomi, not yet.
Nazaryan throws a big right hand that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akihiro Gomi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gomi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akihiro Gomi!
In defeat, Arshavir Nazaryan stepped up to the mic, saying 'I made mistakes. I'll see him again.'.