PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Theophile Bonnet (ranked 8566 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leon Gorshkov (ranked 9562 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bonnet
vs
Gorshkov

168 cm
20
191 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

174 cm
21
192 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Theophile Bonnet!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Leon Gorshkov!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Winston Alpacca and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bonnet shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gorshkov defends it nicely.

Gorshkov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Bonnet was covering up waiting for the punch and Gorshkov finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Bonnet manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gorshkov is trying to break the clinch but Bonnet is controlling him.
Gorshkov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Bonnet pulls Gorshkov into guard.
Gorshkov wants to pass the guard but Bonnet is keeping the position.
Gorshkov trying to control but Bonnet is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorshkov being controlled here momentarily.
Bonnet looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gorshkov is one step ahead there.
Bonnet looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Bonnet's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's two 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.
Gorshkov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Bonnet throwing short punches from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gorshkov misses with a takedown

and Bonnet counters by clinching up.
Bonnet has Gorshkov pressed against the cage, preventing Gorshkov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gorshkov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Gorshkov pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bonnet got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gorshkov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bonnet has managed to get both his arms back between Gorshkov's legs - danger averted.
Bonnet scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bonnet stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gorshkov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bonnet engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Bonnet distracts Gorshkov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gorshkov is trying to control the position but Bonnet postures up.
Gorshkov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's four 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.
Bonnet preventing the sweep.
Bonnet slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Gorshkov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bonnet gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Bonnet gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gorshkov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bonnet swivels and escapes.
Gorshkov throws a sloppy head kick and Bonnet moves out of range easily.
Gorshkov wants to clinch up but Bonnet keeps it at a distance.
Gorshkov stuffs the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gorshkov jabs Bonnet to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bonnet really is a fat lump.
Bonnet lands a nice hook to Gorshkov's body. Gorshkov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bonnet stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bonnet wants it to stay on the feet.
Bonnet throwing a counter right hand but Gorshkov manages to avoid it.
Gorshkov dives in and grabs Bonnet's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bonnet pushes down on Gorshkov's head and hops out.
Bonnet fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gorshkov throws a sloppy head kick

and Bonnet counters by moving into the clinch.
Bonnet looking for a takedown.

Gorshkov pulls guard successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bonnet controlling from the top position.
Gorshkov wants to stand up but Bonnet is controlling him.
Theophile Bonnet overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonnet forces his way into half guard.
Bonnet stalling.
Gorshkov is trying to stand back up but Bonnet is controlling him

Bonnet is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gorshkov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ground and pound from Bonnet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bonnet is taking a breather. Gorshkov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Gorshkov wants to control but Bonnet is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gorshkov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bonnet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bonnet seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Bonnet controlling the action here.
Gorshkov is looking for a sweep. Bonnet is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bonnet slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Further stalling from Bonnet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Bonnet scores with a takedown into Gorshkov's guard.
Gorshkov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bonnet stopping the sweep attempt from Gorshkov.

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

Bonnet gets to his feet. Gorshkov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gorshkov shoots in for a double leg but Bonnet sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bonnet throws a big counter combination but Gorshkov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theophile Bonnet dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bonnet drives through and clinches with Gorshkov against the cage.
Bonnet goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gorshkov prevents it.
Gorshkov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gorshkov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bonnet is keeping busy.

Bonnet breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Gorshkov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Bonnet has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Gorshkov is on him like a limpet, forcing Bonnet back against the cage.
Bonnet is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gorshkov can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gorshkov working hard to break the clinch.

Gorshkov decides to pull guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Gorshkov manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bonnet jumps guard but Gorshkov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorshkov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bonnet backwards.

Bonnet breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gorshkov throws a series of punches but Bonnet moves out of range.
Bonnet fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Theophile Bonnet. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bonnet fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gorshkov avoids it really well and circles away.
Gorshkov is looking for the big counter here.
Bonnet pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bonnet misses with a head kick.
Gorshkov lands a jab to Bonnet's midsection.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gorshkov is defended easily by Bonnet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bonnet.

Bonnet instigates a clinch.
Bonnet drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gorshkov pulls his leg out and moves away.

Bonnet has Gorshkov up against the cage in a clinch.
Bonnet doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Gorshkov manages to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonnet makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bonnet engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Gorshkov trying to keep a closed guard but Bonnet is proving a slippery customer.
Bonnet controls from within his opponent's guard.
Gorshkov trying to keep a closed guard but Bonnet is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bonnet controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bonnet seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Gorshkov for as long as he can get away with.
Gorshkov wants to stand up but Bonnet is controlling him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bonnet controlling from the top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Leon Gorshkov.
I think Bonnet 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:28
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Theophile Bonnet!