PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Roman Gozalez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dwayne Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gozalez comes to the cage accompanied by Holla If Ya Hear Me. Roman Gozalez has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gozalez
vs
Hicks

180 cm
18
187 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
22
183 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Roman Gozalez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dwayne Hicks !
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks throws a half hearted mid kick.
Gozalez misses with a series of wild punches.
Gozalez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hicks .
Hicks lands a high kick!

It looks like Roman Gozalez has been cut.
Gozalez connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gozalez moves in looking to clinch but Hicks pushes him off.
Hicks goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hicks misses with a head kick.
Hicks throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gozalez cracks the inside of Hicks 's front leg.
Gozalez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hicks is fending him off so far but Gozalez persists. Nope, Hicks circles away and we're back to standing.
Gozalez avoids a punch combination nicely.

Gozalez closes the distance and clinches.
Hicks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Gozalez lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Hicks looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gozalez wants to stand up but Hicks has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gozalez thows a huge punch but Hicks dodges it nicely.

Gozalez stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Hicks to get to his feet.
Gozalez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gozalez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hicks pinned against the cage. Hicks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gozalez throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gozalez misses with a double jab
and Hicks counters with a left and a right that stings Gozalez.
Gozalez is breathing heavily.
Hicks getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hicks closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hicks closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Roman Gozalez's cut is getting worse.
Hicks ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hicks throws a combination. Gozalez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hicks looks to land a body kick but Gozalez moved away.
Dwayne Hicks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hicks connects with a looping right hand.
Gozalez has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Hicks slips a jab from Gozalez.
Gozalez takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Gozalez throws a combination that misses
and Hicks counters with a two punch combo.
Hicks looks to land a combination but Gozalez avoids it well.
Hicks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gozalez circles away quickly and effectively.
Hicks checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gozalez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hicks .
Hicks throws a right hand that Gozalez ducks under and follows up with a left that Gozalez also avoids with ease.
Hicks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gozalez looks for a takedown but Hicks sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Gozalez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An inside leg kick from Gozalez misses.
Hicks will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gozalez misses with an uppercut.
Hicks throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gozalez shoots in but no luck this time.
Hicks throws a series of strikes that have Gozalez backpedaling.
Gozalez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Gozalez blocks a leg kick.

That's four 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.
Hicks stuffs the takedown attempt from Gozalez. Gozalez gets slowly back to his feet.
Gozalez misses with a combination
and Hicks counters with a series of strikes. Gozalez will be more careful next time no doubt.
Gozalez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hicks lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hicks .
Hicks blocks a jab.

Gozalez clinches with his opponent.
Hicks stops a takedown attempt from Gozalez.
Hicks can't break the clinch.
Gozalez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hicks pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hicks wants to get back to striking at distance but Gozalez won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gozalez jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hicks walks away with a smile on his face. Gozalez gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Gozalez digs a good hook to Hicks 's body.
Hicks throws a series of punches but Gozalez moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwayne Hicks dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Roman Gozalez's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gozalez shoots in but no luck this time.
Hicks is working the combinations to good effect here.

Gozalez moves into range and clinches up with Hicks .
Hicks misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hicks wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gozalez has him pressed against the cage.
Hicks prevents the takedown attempt.
Gozalez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hicks is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Gozalez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hicks makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hicks wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gozalez has him pressed against the cage.
Hicks is looking to break free of the clinch but Gozalez has double underhooks.
Hicks wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gozalez has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks is trying to break the clinch but Gozalez has him pressed against the cage.
Gozalez keeps control of Hicks as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hicks lands a right hand.
Hicks is trying to break the clinch but Gozalez has him pressed against the cage.
Hicks is looking to break free of the clinch but Gozalez has double underhooks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gozalez wants to stall.
Gozalez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hicks avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gozalez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hicks pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hicks is looking to score with low kicks.
Hicks throws a combination. Gozalez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hicks misses with a series of wild punches.
Dwayne Hicks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hicks lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A left and a right from Hicks both land. Nice combination.
Gozalez avoids a punch combination nicely.

Gozalez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Gozalez stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gozalez shoots in for a takedown but Hicks shows good takedown defense.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hicks .

Gozalez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The is referee keeping an eye on Gozalez - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Gozalez can't get the takedown.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gozalez prevents Hicks from breaking the clinch.
Hicks stops a takedown attempt from Gozalez.
Hicks is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gozalez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hicks fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hicks scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Roman Gozalez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No joy there for Hicks , who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hicks throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Gozalez changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hicks looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Gozalez takes a little break here. Hicks wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Hicks is looking to regain half guard here but Gozalez keeps moving and retains side control.
Gozalez trying to control the position but Hicks is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gozalez decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Decent striking displayed by Hicks there.
Gozalez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hicks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gozalez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gozalez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hicks 's waist but Hicks gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gozalez off to one side.
Hicks takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Gozalez has Hicks up against the cage in a clinch.
Hicks is trying to break the clinch but Gozalez has him pressed against the cage.

Gozalez manages to break the clinch.
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 Roman Gozalez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Roman Gozalez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hicks 's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Hicks duly obliges.
Gozalez shoots in for a double leg but Hicks sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hicks lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Hicks throws a leg kick

and Gozalez counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gozalez.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hicks is looking to stand up but Gozalez isn't so interested in that idea.

Gozalez stands up from Hicks 's guard - Gozalez perhaps looking for a knockout.
Gozalez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gozalez misses with a low kick.
Hicks lands with a straight right. Gozalez didn't see that one coming.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hicks throws a series of punches but Gozalez avoids them all with ease.
Gozalez slips a jab and a cross from Hicks .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hicks avoids the body shot from Gozalez.

Gozalez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Gozalez misses with the ground and pound.

Gozalez decides to stand back up. Gozalez steps back and let's Hicks get back to his feet.
Hicks stuffs the takedown.
Hicks throws a nice looking combination but Gozalez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hicks misses with a wild combination.
Hicks 's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Hicks duly obliges.
Hicks scores with a punch to the head.
Gozalez gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gozalez looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hicks wants to sweep but no luck.
Gozalez sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hicks keeping moving, preventing Gozalez from controlling successfully.
Hicks wants to sweep but no luck.

Hicks is working an open guard so Gozalez takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gozalez throws a series of punches but Hicks avoids them all with ease.
Hicks throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hicks lands with a straight right. Gozalez didn't see that one coming.

Gozalez pushes Hicks up against the cage in a clinch.
Gozalez tries for a takedown but Hicks manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Gozalez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gozalez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hicks stops a takedown attempt from Gozalez.
Gozalez prevents Hicks from breaking the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hicks .
Gozalez fails to pull guard.
Gozalez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hicks is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Hicks 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hicks throws a right hand that Gozalez ducks under and follows up with a left that Gozalez also avoids with ease.
Hicks throws a combination that misses

and Gozalez counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Hicks !
Gozalez looking to control but Hicks is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks blocking the ground and pound.
Hicks is squirming around, avoiding Gozalez's attempts to control the action.
Gozalez is really struggling to control Hicks but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gozalez looking to ground and pound but Hicks is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roman Gozalez showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gozalez 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 Suge Night scores the fight 29:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!