PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Flinta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sumi Gaeshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Flinta comes to the cage accompanied by eye of the tiger. Gaeshi has chosen Welcome to the Jungle as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Eddie Flinta
vs
Gaeshi

181 cm
23
187 lbs
4 - 5 - 1

179 cm
23
185 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Nemesis Cage Clothing

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 4 - 5 - 1, fighting out of London, Eddie Flinta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Sumi Gaeshi!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Atkins and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gaeshi throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Flinta darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Flinta is nestled in close to Gaeshi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gaeshi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Flinta tries to pass to full mount but Gaeshi defends it.
Gaeshi is trying to control but can't.
Gaeshi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Gaeshi trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Gaeshi throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gaeshi scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Gaeshi throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Flinta pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gaeshi is keeping the position for now.
Flinta working some strikes from top position.
Flinta is pushing down on Gaeshi's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gaeshi is fighting to maintain full guard but Flinta has managed to sneak the leg through.
Flinta missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gaeshi tries to get to full guard but Flinta has control of the leg.
Nice strikes from Flinta there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flinta sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gaeshi defending well though.
Gaeshi is trying to stand.
Gaeshi is trying to get back to full guard.
Flinta working the head and body with strikes.
Gaeshi is controlling Flinta's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Gaeshi regains full guard. Nicely done.
Gaeshi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Flinta throwing strikes from guard but Gaeshi blocks nicely.
Gaeshi trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Flinta preventing the sweep.
Flinta stands and throws Gaeshi's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Gaeshi striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Gaeshi looks gassed!
Flinta landing a few strikes.
Flinta cracks Gaeshi with a big elbow.
Gaeshi regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gaeshi makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
A combination from Gaeshi does no damage.
Gaeshi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Flinta tries for a takedown but Gaeshi circles away easily
and Gaeshi counters with a good low kick that Flinta was not able to check.
Flinta darts in trying to clinch
and Gaeshi counters with a series of strikes. Flinta will be more careful next time no doubt.
Flinta gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Gaeshi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Gaeshi has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Flinta clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Flinta tries to break free.
Gaeshi lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Gaeshi. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Flinta manages to reverse the position and now he's in Gaeshi's guard. Nice work there by Flinta.
Flinta with a nice head shot there.
Flinta missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flinta with a flurry of punches that miss.
Flinta won't allow Gaeshi to sweep him here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Flinta gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Gaeshi clinches up against the cage.
Gaeshi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Flinta walks away with a smile on his face. Gaeshi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Flinta has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Flinta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Flinta tries for a takedown but Gaeshi circles away easily

so Gaeshi counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Flinta doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Flinta keeping moving, preventing Gaeshi from controlling successfully.
Flinta wants to sweep here but Gaeshi controlling him for the moment.
Flinta throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Gaeshi stands and throws Flinta's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Flinta takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flinta is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Gaeshi off and has taken his back!
Flinta is trying to stick to Gaeshi's back but Gaeshi is turning into Flinta. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Flinta's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Gaeshi.
Gaeshi preventing the sweep.
Flinta throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Gaeshi landing some decent shots from guard.
Flinta looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gaeshi is one step ahead there.
Gaeshi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Flinta bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gaeshi's guard.
Flinta throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gaeshi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gaeshi punching from the bottom.
Flinta working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gaeshi's head.

Gaeshi has his feet on Flinta's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Gaeshi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sumi Gaeshi dominated that round.
That's time! Flinta's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Flinta with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gaeshi counters with a thumping low kick.
Flinta shoots and misses
and Gaeshi counters with a nice body shot.
Gaeshi plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Gaeshi scores with a head kick.
A jab from Gaeshi does it's job there.
Gaeshi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Gaeshi drives through and clinches with Flinta against the cage.

Gaeshi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gaeshi scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Gaeshi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Flinta throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Gaeshi cracks Flinta with a solid left hand.
Gaeshi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gaeshi distracts Flinta with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Gaeshi decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Eddie Flinta is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gaeshi throws a series of punches but Flinta moves out of range.

Flinta gets a takedown into half guard.
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!
Gaeshi tries to kick Flinta off but Flinta keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaeshi punching from the bottom.
Gaeshi is trying to stand.
Sumi Gaeshi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gaeshi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Flinta scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gaeshi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Flinta missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Flinta thows a huge punch but Gaeshi dodges it nicely.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Gaeshi rushes Flinta and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Gaeshi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Flinta scores with a takedown into Gaeshi's guard.
Flinta working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gaeshi's head.
Gaeshi striking off his back but it's not causing Flinta any problems.
Flinta scoring with some ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gaeshi is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaeshi won't allow Flinta to sweep him here.

Gaeshi stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Flinta has his takedown stuffed

and Gaeshi counters with a nice double leg into side control. Flinta won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Flinta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Flinta is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Flinta taking punishment in the form of punches.
Gaeshi trying to control the action but Flinta is working from the bottom.
Flinta is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Gaeshi's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Flinta is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gaeshi's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gaeshi's back!
Flinta punishes Gaeshi with strikes from the back mount.
Flinta is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Flinta gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Flinta gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Flinta apologises and we restart here on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Gaeshi misses.
Flinta misses with a takedown attempt
and Gaeshi counters with a straight right hand.
A head kick from Gaeshi lands but Flinta takes it in his stride.
Flinta with a lazy takedown attempt

and Gaeshi counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gaeshi.
Gaeshi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Gaeshi breaks the clinch.
Flinta misses with a takedown attempt

and Gaeshi decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Flinta's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gaeshi is working Flinta over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Gaeshi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gaeshi tries to stand but Flinta is controlling from the bottom.
Flinta bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gaeshi's guard.
Flinta forces his way into half guard.
Gaeshi manages to get to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Flinta working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flinta is looking to work some ground and pound but Gaeshi has wrist control.
Flinta lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gaeshi throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Gaeshi looking to control.
Gaeshi throws a couple of heel strikes.
Flinta thows a big elbow that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Flinta doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gaeshi counters with a two punch combo.
Flinta gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Gaeshi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gaeshi.
Gaeshi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gaeshi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Flinta gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Gaeshi breaks from the clinch.

Flinta drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gaeshi wants to control but Flinta postures up.
Gaeshi is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Flinta off and has taken his back!
Gaeshi is trying to stick to Flinta's back but Flinta is turning into Gaeshi. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Gaeshi's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Flinta.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sumi Gaeshi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Flinta fails with the takedown

and Gaeshi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Flinta taking a breather.

Gaeshi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gaeshi lands a jab-cross combination.
Flinta shoots for a double leg takedown but Gaeshi sprawls well. He's pushed Flinta's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gaeshi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gaeshi cracks a nice hook into Flinta's ribs.
Gaeshi throws a head kick but Flinta moves out of range.
Gaeshi with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Gaeshi scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Flinta tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gaeshi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Flinta manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Flinta thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gaeshi's head.
Flinta throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gaeshi misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Gaeshi tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Flinta throwing shots but Gaeshi is blocking nicely.
Gaeshi on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Flinta tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gaeshi gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Flinta tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gaeshi lands a left hand.
Flinta prevents Gaeshi from breaking the clinch.

Gaeshi has picked Flinta up - he's going for a ride! Gaeshi dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Gaeshi prevents Flinta from improving his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Flinta manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Gaeshi works over Flinta with some ground and pound from guard.
Flinta lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gaeshi!
Gaeshi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gaeshi is in a horrible position here. Flinta smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Gaeshi sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Flinta not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gaeshi kicks off Flinta and gets to his feet.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Gaeshi throws a right hand that Flinta ducks under and follows up with a left that Flinta also avoids with ease.
Flinta misses with a takedown
and Gaeshi counters with a right hand to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Flinta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gaeshi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Flinta has his takedown stuffed
and Gaeshi counters with a left to the body.
Gaeshi throws a one two combo.
Gaeshi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Flinta tries for a takedown but Gaeshi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gaeshi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Flinta shoots in and drives through. Gaeshi sprawls well.
Flinta tries for a takedown but Gaeshi circles away easily
and Gaeshi counters with a nice uppercut.
Gaeshi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Flinta rather than just go for the knockout.
Gaeshi circles away from the clinch attempt

and Gaeshi counters with a single leg into guard. Flinta didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Flinta tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flinta looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Gaeshi puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Flinta is looking to improve his position.
Flinta is working hard here to advance position.
Flinta flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Gaeshi looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gaeshi slips a nice elbow through Flinta's hands, connecting with Flinta's forehead.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Flinta shoots and misses

and Gaeshi counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gaeshi.
Gaeshi lands a left hand.
Gaeshi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Flinta backwards.
Eddie Flinta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gaeshi blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Gaeshi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Flinta tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gaeshi swivels and escapes.
Flinta shoots in and drives through. Gaeshi sprawls well.
Flinta shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gaeshi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Flinta shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gaeshi as he jumps to the side.
Eddie Flinta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Flinta shoots and misses
enabling Gaeshi to counter with a crisp jab.
A shot to de liver by Gaeshi. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flinta with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gaeshi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Gaeshi shoots in and bounces Flinta off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Flinta tries to strike from the bottom.
Flinta tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Flinta will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Flinta wants to sweep here but Gaeshi controlling him for the moment.
Flinta keeping moving, preventing Gaeshi from controlling successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gaeshi with a nice head shot there.
Sumi Gaeshi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Flinta with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gaeshi counters with a left and a right that stings Flinta.
Gaeshi misses the shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sumi Gaeshi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gaeshi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sumi Gaeshi!