PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Luis Gonzales (ranked 3594 p4p, 169 weight class) and Tadakatsu Honda (ranked 8255 p4p, 306 weight class). Tadakatsu Honda has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gonzales
vs
Honda

169 cm
23
140 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

170 cm
29
135 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Good elbows
Granite chin

Juggernaut And Gladiators

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 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luis Gonzales!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tadakatsu Honda!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Colin Fray and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gonzales slips a jab from Honda.
Gonzales swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gonzales throws a poor cross that misses

and Honda counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Honda.

Gonzales had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Honda defends it easily.
Honda forces his way into half guard.

Gonzales looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Honda is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gonzales doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Honda.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Honda trying to control from half guard but Gonzales is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzales is trying to maintain the position but Honda is very close to passing his half guard.
Gonzales preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Gonzales is trying to get back to full guard.

Gonzales is defending against the submission attempts here by Honda.

Honda is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gonzales wants to control but Honda is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gonzales knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Honda on the ground.

Honda is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gonzales sees it coming and defends easily.
Gonzales is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Gonzales's coaches at Heart Cave (8 elites, 4 double-elites, 1 triple) have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.

Honda is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gonzales wants to control but Honda is keeping busy.

Gonzales actively working from the bottom here.

Honda is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gonzales defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzales holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Honda throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Honda is looking for a kimura but Gonzales is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Honda to get the leverage.

Honda is looking for a kimura but Gonzales is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Honda to get the leverage.
Gonzales holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Honda is thwarting Gonzales's attempts to control the position.
Gonzales tries to roll over but Honda keeps him under control.

Gonzales looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gonzales is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Honda trying to control from half guard but Gonzales is working away.

Honda is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gonzales defends it well.

Gonzales is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Honda pulls his head out easily.
Gonzales wants to control but Honda is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gonzales manages to get to full guard.
Honda loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Honda lands a couple of digs.

Gonzales is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Honda is aware though and is defending well.
Honda trying to control the position from guard on top but Gonzales is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tadakatsu Honda dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gonzales misses with a jab, cross combination.
Honda ducks right into an uppercut from Gonzales.
Luis Gonzales seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gonzales throws a jab but it's blocked by Honda.
Gonzales misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gonzales fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Honda manages to avoid it.
Honda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gonzales.
Honda feints the counter takedown.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gonzales.
Honda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gonzales.
Honda wants to counter the offense by Gonzales and move into the clinch position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Honda shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gonzales defends it nicely.
Gonzales lands a leg kick that knocks Honda off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzales moves into range and connects with a jab.
Honda tries to land a leg kick but Gonzales saw it coming and moves away.
Honda looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gonzales is fending him off so far but Honda persists. Nope, Gonzales circles away and we're back to standing.
Honda takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Gonzales misses with a looping right.
Honda gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gonzales counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Luis Gonzales has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tadakatsu Honda.
Gonzales thumps Honda with a low kick.
The crowd cheers as Gonzales lands an impressive looking overhand right. Honda doesn't seem phased though.
A big right from Gonzales misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Honda blocks the low kick.
Honda moves out of range of the leg kick from Gonzales.
Gonzales misses with a hook.
Honda has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

Gonzales steps into range and cracks Honda with a monster punch that buckles his knees! Honda flops backwards and Gonzales dives into his guard looking to finish!

Honda is rocked!

It looks like Tadakatsu Honda has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Honda is trying to keep Gonzales in close.
Honda is still in real trouble! Can Gonzales finish him?

Gonzales drops back looking for a leg! Honda is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Honda manages to kick Gonzales off! Gonzales jumps back into Honda's guard.
Honda seems to have recovered his senses.
Tadakatsu Honda has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gonzales trying to control the position from guard on top but Honda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzales engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Gonzales has gone for a leg lock! Honda slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gonzales's guard.

Gonzales working for a triangle but Honda defends it easily.
Honda throws a big right hand that misses.

Gonzales has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Honda can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Honda working for a triangle but Gonzales defends it easily.

Honda throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gonzales is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Honda can do to turn this around?
Gonzales slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luis Gonzales dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tadakatsu Honda'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. This is the final round!

Gonzales looks to land a left hand but Honda moved out of range nicely.
And Honda tries to counter it with a takedown but Gonzales pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Honda sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Gonzales works over Honda's head and body with a nice combination.

Gonzales has closed the distance and engaged Honda in a clinch.
Gonzales lands a body shot in the clinch.
Gonzales using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Gonzales lands a shot to the body.
Gonzales lands a body punch.
Gonzales landing knees to the body.
Gonzales with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gonzales is struggling to control the position.
Gonzales lands a big right hand that drops Honda! The killer instinct kicks in and Gonzales finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Gonzales!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Luis Gonzales!
Luis Gonzales seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.