PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Julian Gniewek (ranked 2699 p4p, 306 weight class) and Nomor Gai (ranked 3021 p4p, 341 weight class). Gai has chosen Alice Cooper No More Mr. Nice Guy as his entrance music. Nomor Gai acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Gniewek
vs
Gai

181 cm
27
155 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

182 cm
35
166 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Julian Gniewek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nomor Gai!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Andrew Berry and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gai!
Gniewek blocks a leg kick.
Gniewek slips under a jab.
Gniewek swings for the body but Gai moves out of range.
Gai lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Gai throws a series of punches but Gniewek avoids them all with ease.
A punch combination from Gai misses.
Jab from Gai.
Gniewek works Gai's body with a nice hook.
Gniewek moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Gai ducks under a wild hook from Gniewek.
Gniewek fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gai on the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gniewek cracks Gai with an open hand slap.
Gniewek wants to clinch.
We've been informed that Gai has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gai's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Gai duly obliges.
Gai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gniewek showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gai.
A punch combination from Gniewek misses.
Gniewek throws an overhand right that lands on Gai's shoulder, as Gai tries to avoid the shot.
Gniewek swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It seemed like Gai was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Gai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gniewek lands a leg kick that knocks Gai off balance momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gai fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Gai has closed the distance and engaged Gniewek in a clinch.
Gai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gniewek lands a knee to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Still in the clinch, Gniewek scores with a nice short uppercut.
Gniewek keeps control of Gai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Gai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gai tries to throw a body punch but Gniewek avoids it by throwing Gai back against the cage.
Gai lands with a left to the head.
Gniewek tries a knee to the head but Gai blocks it.
Gai misses with a punch on the inside.
Gniewek is trying to stall.
Gai lands a shoulder strike.
Gniewek tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Gniewek to work.
Gai tries to throw a body punch but Gniewek avoids it by throwing Gai back against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Gai.
A short right from Gai.

Gai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gai stalks Gniewek and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Gniewek's face. Gniewek staggers backwards, shaken.
Nomor Gai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gniewek is looking to clinch.
Gai scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Gai lands a slapping body shot.
Gai misses with a straight left.
Gniewek uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gai.
Gai slips under a jab.
Gniewek avoids the head kick by Gai.
It looked like Gniewek wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gniewek circles away quickly and effectively.
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!
Gniewek fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Gai blocks a jab.
Gniewek misses with a hook.
Gai looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Gniewek with a hook.
Gniewek takes a swing at Gai's ribcage but misses.
Gai throws a head kick but Gniewek moves out of range.
Gai throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gniewek cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gniewek ducks under a wild hook from Gai.
Gai swats away the attempt to clinch by Gniewek.
Gniewek cracks Gai with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nomor Gai dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gai throws an off balance right hand
and Gniewek counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gai cracks a nice hook into Gniewek's ribs.
Gniewek has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Gniewek lands with a kick to the ribs.
Nomor Gai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gniewek avoids the head kick by Gai.
Gniewek is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Gai.
Gniewek wants to clinch.
Gai lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gniewek displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gai throws out the jab.
Gai throws a low kick but it's checked well by Gniewek.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gniewek tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gai swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A little jabbing left from Gai on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Gniewek throws a hook but Gai avoids it easily.
Gai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gniewek throws out the jab.
A big left from Gniewek misses.
Gniewek tries to clinch up.
Gai throws out a counter right but Gniewek avoids it with no problem.
Gai lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Gai just misses with a punch to the body.
Gai takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Gniewek tries to clinch up but Gai circles away and keeps his distance.
Gai looks to land a combination but Gniewek avoids it well.
Gai takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gai slips a straight right by Gniewek.
A countering left hand to the body from Gai misses.
Gai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gai keeps the fight on the outside.
Gai connects with a looping right hand.
Gniewek is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Gniewek lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gai throws a hook to the side of Gniewek's head but Gniewek sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gniewek throwing a counter right hand but Gai manages to avoid it.
Gniewek throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A shot to the liver by Gniewek. Beautiful body shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Gniewek. That snapped Gai's head back.

Gai moves into the clinch successfully.
Gniewek leaning against his opponent.
Gniewek tries to land a knee to the head but Gai blocks with his arms.
Gniewek tries a knee to the head but Gai blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gai.
Gai misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gniewek tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nomor Gai seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gniewek is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gai is defending well for now.
Gai lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gai misses with a punch on the inside.
Gniewek misses with a knee to the head.
Gai throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gnieweks head.
Gniewek with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Gai takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gai creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gniewek working aggressively here.
Gniewek lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gniewek scores with a knee to the head.

Gai is rocked!

It looks like Nomor Gai has been cut.
Gniewek tries a knee to the head but Gai blocks it.
Gniewek keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gai's efforts to push away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gniewek looking to throw knees to the head but Gai is blocking nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gai lands a right hand.
Gai working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Gniewek effectively controlling the action here.
Gniewek with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gai pushes Gniewek back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Gai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Gniewek has closed the distance and engaged Gai in a clinch.

Gai manages to break the clinch.
Gai ducks under a wild hook from Gniewek.
Gai keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gniewek.
Gai avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nomor Gai will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Nomor Gai's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Gai misses with a kick to the body
enabling Gniewek to counter with a crisp jab.
A jab from Gai misses.
Gniewek appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Gniewek throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gai takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Gai throws a low kick, looking for Gniewek's leg but Gniewek calmly moves out of range.
Gai lands with a thumping leg kick.

Gniewek clinches up with Gai and pushes him back against the cage.
Gniewek scores with a nice hook to the head.
Gniewek is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gai is defending well for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gniewek with a knee to the head.

Gai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gniewek doesn't manage to clinch there - Gai circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gai! But no joy.
A head kick by Gai misses
and Gai takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gai misses with a combination
and Gniewek counters with a straight right hand.
Gniewek slips under a jab from Gai.
Gniewek looks to throw the jab but Gai is out of range.
Gai swinging wildly here.
Gai lands with a kick to the temple. Gniewek shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Gai throws a series of strikes that have Gniewek backpedaling.
Gniewek throws a shot to the body.
Gai ducks right into an uppercut from Gniewek.
Nomor Gai seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Gai moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gniewek blocking some punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gniewek with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gniewek with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gniewek with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gai looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A hook to the body from Gai.
Julian Gniewek has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gai tries to throw a body punch but Gniewek avoids it by throwing Gai back against the cage.
Gniewek crunches a lovely knee into Gai's ribcage.
Gniewek with a knee to the head.
Gniewek lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gai looking to slow down the pace here.
Gai blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gai throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gnieweks head.
Gai stalls.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Gniewek.
Gniewek throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gai blocks it with crossed arms.
Gniewek tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gniewek misses with a knee strike.
Gniewek lands with a short shot to the head.

Gai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gai misses with a body shot.
As Gai tries to get set, Gniewek tries to push him back and clinch up but Gai manages to avoid the attempt.
Gniewek is looking to clinch.

Gniewek instigates a clinch.
Gniewek is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gai is defending well for now.
Gniewek lands a body punch.
Gniewek misses with a knee strike.
Gniewek tries a knee to the head but Gai blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gniewek tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gniewek with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Gai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gai throws a head kick but Gniewek moves out of range.
Gai's jab looks to have found its range, popping Gniewek under the eye.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gai moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gai throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gai tries to bum rush Gniewek with a series of wild strikes but Gniewek uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gniewek tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Gai manages to circle out of the way.
Gniewek waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gai.
Gniewek lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nomor Gai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Gai digs a good hook to Gniewek's body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Julian Gniewek showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gai has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Nomor Gai!
A victorious Nomor Gai thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.