PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wesley Templar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mel Gordon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gordon has chosen S.O.B. - Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Templar
vs
Gordon

191 cm
43
209 lbs
27 - 13 - 0

190 cm
33
217 lbs
21 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Wesley Templar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mel Gordon!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Luis Engracia and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Templar keeps the fight on the outside.
Templar shoots in but Gordon avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Templar takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Gordon has managed to clinch.
Templar presses Gordon against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Templar avoids the elbow strike from Gordon, against the cage.
Gordon lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Wesley Templar has been cut.
Templar looking to slow down the pace here.
Templar takes an elbow to the temple.
Gordon creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Templar working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Templar avoids the elbow strike from Gordon, against the cage.
Gordon lands an elbow inside that Templar shrugs off.
Templar misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gordon lands a body punch.
Templar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Templar jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Gordon walks away with a smile on his face. Templar gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Gordon digs a good hook to Templar's body.
Templar throws a jab when Gordon was well out of range.
Templar takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gordon throws a hook but Templar blocks it.
Templar misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gordon throws a big counter head kick but Templar avoids it with no problem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wesley Templar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Templar moves in looking to clinch but Gordon pushes him off.
Templar shoots in looking for a takedown. Gordon tries to sprawl out of it but Templar keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gordon manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mel Gordon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A punch combination from Gordon misses.
Templar chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gordon can pounce on him.
Gordon tries a head kick but it misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Gordon.
Gordon misses with a jab, cross combination.
Templar connects with a body shot.
Gordon wants to clinch up but Templar keeps it at a distance.
Gordon scores with a leg kick.
Gordon looks to score with a jab to the body but Templar is just out of range.
Templar dives in and grabs Gordon's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gordon pushes down on Templar's head and hops out.
Gordon avoids the body shot from Templar.
Gordon is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Gordon throws the kick towards the body but Templar avoids it.
Gordon tries to bum rush Templar with a series of wild strikes but Templar uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gordon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Templar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Templar moves out of range as Gordon strikes.
Gordon lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Templar circles away quickly and effectively.
Templar works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Gordon scores with a nice body kick.
Templar dives in for a single leg takedown but Gordon sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Gordon feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Templar's calf.

Templar shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gordon manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Gordon told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Gordon 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.
Templar is working Gordon over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Gordon looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Templar with a nice head shot there.

Gordon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Templar doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Templar manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Templar trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Templar stands up over Gordon, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Gordon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Templar doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Templar manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gordon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Gordon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Templar doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Templar manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Templar is working Gordon over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Templar engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Gordon looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Templar passes into side control.
Templar controls the position from side control.
Templar wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gordon keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Templar landing a few strikes.
Templar scores with punches from side control.
Gordon can't do much from the bottom here.
Gordon is looking to reverse the position.
Gordon struggling a bit here.
Templar scoring with punches from side control.
Gordon looking for a sweep but Templar has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Templar lands a nice shot to the head.
Gordon is trying desperately to improve position.
Gordon is still trying to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mel Gordon dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Wesley Templar's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gordon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gordon fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gordon thumps Templar with a low kick.
Gordon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Templar.
Templar misses with a takedown attempt - Gordon sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A big left from Templar misses.
Templar tries to clinch but Gordon is having none of it.
It seemed like Gordon was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Templar jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gordon keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Templar.
Templar on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Templar throws a jab but it's blocked by Gordon.
Templar walks into a left hand.
Templar shoots for a double leg takedown but Gordon sprawls well. He's pushed Templar's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gordon feints and then cracks Templar's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Templar down.
Templar misses with a takedown attempt - Gordon sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wesley Templar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gordon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Templar was well out of range. Poor timing from Gordon.
Templar throwing a counter right hand but Gordon manages to avoid it.
Templar connects with a looping right hand.
Gordon throws a right and a left that both miss.
Templar attempts a counter takedown but Gordon avoids it well and moves away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gordon tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Templar manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gordon pushes Templar up against the cage in a clinch.
Templar is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Templar takes an elbow to the forehead.
Templar jumps guard but Gordon stands there with Templar around his waist. Templar gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gordon misses with an elbow strike.

Templar pulls guard effortlessly.
Gordon would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Templar is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Gordon trying to control here.

Gordon looking for subs from the bottom but Templar mounts him!
Templar working Gordon over with strikes here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Templar lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Templar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gordon is looking to escape.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gordon tries to lock up and control but Templar gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Templar scoring with strikes but Gordon is staying in there.
Gordon is desperately trying to improve his position but Templar has a good base and remains in mount.
Gordon tries to hold on but Templar pushes him away.
Gordon is looking to improve his position but Templar isn't that keen on the idea.
Templar has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Gordon's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Templar.
Wesley Templar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gordon wants to control but Templar is having none of it.
Gordon tries to buck Templar off but he can't manage it.
Templar lands with some strikes.

Templar looking to secure an arm triangle but Gordon defends it well.
Gordon takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Gordon is rocked!
Gordon is looking to improve his position but Templar isn't that keen on the idea.
Gordon is still in real trouble! Can Templar finish him?
Gordon taking shots to the head.
Gordon is desperately trying to improve his position but Templar has a good base and remains in mount.
Gordon seems to have recovered his senses.
Templar raining down hammerfists from mount.
Gordon is working to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Templar controlling the position easily from mount.
Templar working the ground and pound effectively.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Templar raining down hammerfists from mount.
Templar landing strikes from the mount and Gordon is in trouble!
Gordon is trying desperately to improve position.
Templar landing punches.
Gordon really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Gordon wants to control but Templar is having none of it.
Templar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gordon is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wesley Templar dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Wesley Templar's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Templar throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gordon tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Templar is in Gordon's guard.

Templar got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gordon has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Templar has managed to get both his arms back between Gordon's legs - danger averted.
Gordon working a defensive guard here.
Templar has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Gordon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Templar distracts Gordon with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Templar trying to control the position from guard on top but Gordon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gordon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Templar doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Templar manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Templar working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gordon's head.
Templar lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Templar is in close to Gordon's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Templar trying to control but Gordon is working from the bottom.
Templar works over Gordon with some ground and pound from guard.
Templar postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Templar stands up over Gordon, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Templar is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Gordon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Templar wants to control from the top but Gordon keeps moving.
Gordon trying to control the position.

Gordon looking for a guillotine here but Templar defends easily.
Gordon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Templar distracts Gordon with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Templar avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Templar landing with the ground and pound.
Templar is in close to Gordon's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Templar is stalling in the full guard.

Gordon throws his legs up looking for a submission but Templar uses it to pass to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Templar wants to control but Gordon is keeping him busy.
Gordon is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Templar off and has taken his back!
Templar rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Templar is pressing down on Gordon's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Templar is trying to control the position but Gordon postures up.
Gordon wants to stand but Templar has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Templar looking for a sweep. Not yet Templar, not yet.

Gordon decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Templar, up you get!
Templar closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gordon circles away.
Gordon lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Gordon looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Gordon scores with a spinning back kick!
Gordon throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Wesley Templar's cut is getting worse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gordon wants to clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Templar moves out of range of the body kick from Gordon.
Gordon looks to land a right hand but Templar moved out of range.
Templar shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gordon feints and then cracks Templar's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Templar down.
Gordon moves away from the strike by Templar.
Gordon appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

Gordon rushes Templar and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Templar fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wesley Templar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gordon misses with the head strike.
Templar tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gordon just stands there and leans against the cage.

Templar jumps into guard, dragging Gordon to the mat.

Gordon stands up from Templar's guard - Gordon perhaps looking for a knockout.

Gordon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Templar, pushing him back against the cage.
Templar fails to pull the fight into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mel Gordon.
I think Gordon 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mel Gordon!
Mel Gordon thanked the fans post fight for their support.