PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Anderson Gardner (ranked 23670 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pat Michaels (ranked 3784 p4p, 308 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Gardner
vs
Michaels

177 cm
26
151 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anderson Gardner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pat Michaels!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Michaels looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Michaels connects with a leg kick. Gardner looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Michaels looks to score with a jab to the body but Gardner is just out of range.
Gardner is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Michaels.
Michaels moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Michaels shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Michaels showed some decent athleticism there.

Gardner makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Michaels tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gardner paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gardner is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Michaels.
Michaels misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels tries a head kick but it misses.
It looked like Gardner wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Michaels is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Michaels.
Gardner takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Michaels misses with a few strikes there.
Michaels plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Gardner has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardner steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Michaels.
Michaels throws a sloppy head kick and Gardner moves out of range easily.
Gardner swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Gardner blocks a head kick by Michaels.
Michaels misses with the combination.
Michaels throws a right and a left that both miss.
Michaels throws a right and a left that Gardner avoids nicely.

Gardner throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Michaels tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gardner is in Michaels's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gardner looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner tries to free his leg and advance position but Michaels is retaining full guard.
Gardner is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Michaels is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gardner seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

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.

Gardner stands and steps away. Michaels gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Michaels has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gardner lands a body punch in the clinch.
Gardner trying to land knees to the body.

Michaels's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gardner avoids the body shot from Michaels.
Gardner was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Michaels throws a jab but it's blocked by Gardner.
Gardner takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pat Michaels dominated that round.
That's time! Gardner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gardner sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Michaels misses with a double jab
and Gardner counters with a left to the body.
Michaels wants to clinch up but Gardner keeps it at a distance.

Gardner closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Michaels did well to prevent Gardner getting side control.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gardner in particular looking to stall.
Gardner has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Michaels manages to get to full guard.
Michaels tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner scoring with punches to the head and body.
Michaels wants to hit a switch here but Gardner passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Michaels there!
Gardner controlling the pace for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Michaels is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

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.
Gardner tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Gardner scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Michaels tries to reverse the position but Gardner maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gardner has control of Michaels's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Michaels regains control of the situation pretty easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Michaels wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Michaels is covering up but some of the strikes from Gardner are getting through and doing damage.
I would not like to be Michaels right now.
Michaels is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gardner is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Michaels has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Michaels wants to get back to his feet.
Gardner controlling the position well here. Michaels rolled but Gardner kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anderson Gardner 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!

Michaels wants to clinch up but Gardner keeps it at a distance.
Michaels throws a series of punches but Gardner moves out of range.

Michaels gets the takedown into side control.

Gardner sneaks out the side door and pushes Michaels away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Gardner checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gardner.
Pat Michaels seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Michaels tries to clinch but Gardner moves out of range.
Gardner throwing a counter right hand but Michaels manages to avoid it.
Michaels finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Gardner on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Michaels throws a leg kick
and Gardner counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels throws a combination that misses

and Gardner counters with a shoot takedown. Michaels fights it but they end up in guard.
Michaels wants to get back to his feet but Gardner passes into half guard.

Gardner working over Michaels with some ground and pound. Michaels looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Michaels is trying to control but Gardner manages to pass to mount!
Michaels regains half guard.

Gardner gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Gardner counters with a single leg into guard. Michaels didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gardner is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Michaels wants to get back to his feet but Gardner is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Anderson Gardner overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Michaels wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Gardner is now in half guard.
Michaels is trying to stand up here but Gardner is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Gardner manages to move to mount!
Gardner controlling the position easily from mount.
Michaels wants to control but Gardner is having none of it.

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.
Gardner sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Michaels regains half guard.
Michaels trying to control but Gardner postures up.
Gardner controlling the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anderson Gardner showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gardner 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anderson Gardner!