PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joe Gatsby (ranked 1318 p4p, 165 weight class) and Herschel Pettaway (ranked 1331 p4p, 168 weight class). Pettaway is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Empire State of Mind - Jay Z. Joe Gatsby has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Gatsby
vs
Pettaway

178 cm
27
167 lbs
16 - 3 - 0

163 cm
27
155 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

Velocity Fightwear

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 16 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Gatsby!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Herschel Pettaway!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shirou Masuda and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gatsby shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Pettaway counters with a three punch combo that has Gatsby backing up. Gatsby nods at Pettaway to acknowledge the strikes.
Gatsby works the jab nicely.
A jab from Pettaway finds it's way through Gatsby's defenses.
Pettaway is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gatsby.
Gatsby seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Joe Gatsby seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice defenses there by Gatsby.
Pettaway throws a combination. Gatsby tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Joe Gatsby has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gatsby misses the shot to the body.
A nice side step and Pettaway releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Gatsby is looking to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Pettaway! But no joy.
Gatsby misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pettaway.
Gatsby misses with a double jab
and Pettaway counters with a thumping low kick.
Gatsby misses with a right hand
and Pettaway counters with a stiff right hand.
Decent striking displayed by Pettaway there.
Pettaway has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Gatsby is trying hard to land a takedown here. Pettaway sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gatsby misses with a takedown attempt - Pettaway sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A little jabbing left from Pettaway on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Gatsby. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pettaway misses with a looping left.
Pettaway takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Pettaway misses with a few strikes there.
Pettaway throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gatsby on the side of the head.
Gatsby sizes up Pettaway with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Pettaway throws a leg kick that misses.
Gatsby appears to be looking for a big counter.
Gatsby fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pettaway manages to avoid it.
Gatsby misses with a leg kick
letting Pettaway counter with a right hand.
The crowd cheers as Pettaway lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gatsby doesn't seem phased though.
Pettaway throws a leg kick that misses.
Gatsby shoots in for a double leg but Pettaway sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Pettaway needs to keep his hands up - Gatsby had a free shot at his head there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A left and a right from Gatsby both land. Nice combination.
Pettaway swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gatsby darts in looking for a takedown but Pettaway gets double underhooks and turns Gatsby into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pettaway lands a nice leg kick that just misses Gatsby's sensitive parts.
Gatsby misses with a takedown attempt - Pettaway sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pettaway throws out a counter right but Gatsby avoids it with no problem.
Gatsby shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pettaway slips under a jab from Gatsby.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Pettaway! But no joy.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pettaway.
Pettaway fails to land with a series of punches.
Pettaway lands the left hand.
A big right from Pettaway misses.
Gatsby will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pettaway swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A slapping leg kick lands for Pettaway.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gatsby. Pettaway does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gatsby tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Pettaway defends well and Gatsby ends up having to push Pettaway into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Gatsby checks the leg kick nicely there.
Gatsby looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Gatsby takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pettaway scores with a spinning back kick!
Pettaway takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Gatsby shoots in for a takedown but Pettaway shows good takedown defense.
Pettaway dips to his left and cracks Gatsby with an uppercut!
Pettaway leaves Gatsby with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Pettaway looks to land a left hand but Gatsby moved out of range nicely.
Pettaway slaps away a takedown attempt from Gatsby, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pettaway lands with a thumping leg kick.
Pettaway moves away from the strike by Gatsby.
Pettaway punishes Gatsby's body with a nice straight punch.
Gatsby feints a jab promting Pettaway to slip. Gatsby then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Pettaway slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pettaway throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gatsby shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Pettaway looking to control.

Gatsby drops back, looking for a kneebar! Pettaway looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Pettaway looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Pettaway!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Pettaway tries for a kimura but Gatsby is defending well.
Gatsby is looking to reverse the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pettaway takes a little break here. Gatsby wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Pettaway working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Herschel Pettaway dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Gatsby's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gatsby moves out of range as Pettaway strikes.
Gatsby swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Gatsby misses with a body shot.
Pettaway changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Gatsby connects with a looping right hand.

Gatsby feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Pettaway looking to control.
Gatsby preventing the sweep.
Pettaway has his hands on Gatsby's head, controlling the position.
Gatsby trying to control the position from guard on top but Pettaway is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pettaway is looking to sweep but instead, Gatsby has passed into half guard.
Pettaway wants to improve his position but Gatsby is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pettaway wants to control but Gatsby is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Gatsby is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pettaway defends it well.
Gatsby is looking to advance position but Pettaway won't allow it.
Gatsby prevents Pettaway from improving his position.
Pettaway trying to hold on to Gatsby's head to control him but Gatsby postures up.

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.
Gatsby thows a huge punch but Pettaway dodges it nicely.
Gatsby thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Gatsby seems to be looking for submissions.
Pettaway is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gatsby is keen to just control but Pettaway is a slippery customer.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Pettaway wants to improve his position but Gatsby is controlling well.

Gatsby wants to work for an arm triangle but Pettaway is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Pettaway works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pettaway is keeping the position for now.
Pettaway keeping moving, preventing Gatsby from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gatsby connects with a right hand. Pettaway shakes it off.
Gatsby with a lazy takedown attempt
and Pettaway counters with a right hand to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Gatsby misses the target.
Pettaway throws a jab when Gatsby was well out of range.
Pettaway lands with an overhand left.
Gatsby closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Gatsby is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Pettaway's half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pettaway is looking for a sweep. Gatsby is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gatsby will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Gatsby is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pettaway is not content to let Gatsby control the position.
Joe Gatsby overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gatsby drops an elbow to the side of Pettaway's head.
Pettaway wants to improve his position but Gatsby is controlling well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Gatsby is looking for a kimura here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pettaway is looking to control Gatsby's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Pettaway avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Gatsby dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joe Gatsby'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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Pettaway throws a leg kick that is checked

and Gatsby counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Pettaway pulls Gatsby in close to his closed guard and prevents Gatsby from doing any damage or advancing position.
Gatsby with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gatsby is pushing down on Pettaway's leg trying to pass to half guard. Pettaway is fighting to maintain full guard but Gatsby has managed to sneak the leg through.
Gatsby blocks the strikes from Pettaway.
Pettaway tries to roll over but Gatsby keeps him under control.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gatsby lands a nice short elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pettaway trying to control here.
Nice strikes from Gatsby there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gatsby is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pettaway doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gatsby.
Gatsby looks to land a strike but Pettaway avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Pettaway looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gatsby works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Pettaway moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Pettaway wants to sweep here but Gatsby controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby wants to control from the top but Pettaway keeps moving.
Gatsby throws a strike but Pettaway rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Gatsby has momentary wrist control but Pettaway slips an elbow through the middle.
Pettaway wants to control from the top but Gatsby keeps moving.

Pettaway content to sit in guard, stalling... Great. Oh but he could get punished here because Gatsby has locked up a guillotine! Gatsby's face is contorted as he sqeezes tight on the submission attempt - will he finish? Pettaway is holding on here and Gatsby must be using up a lot of energy. Pettaway has gone limp! He's out! He's out cold! Gatsby gets to his feet, tossing aside his stricken foe. Arms raised, he milks the applause from the crowd. Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Joe Gatsby!
Joe Gatsby made sure to mention his sponsor, KAISER Nutrition - Q160 in his post fight interview.