PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Conor Tiernan (ranked 1073 p4p, 137 weight class) and Don Gotti (ranked 1635 p4p, 198 weight class). Tiernan's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Tartanic - Unavoidable - 09 BAllZ/Ringworm. Don Gotti has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Conor Tiernan's chin.

Tiernan
vs
Gotti

175 cm
32
165 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

175 cm
30
170 lbs
16 - 13 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Sin City Allstars

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 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Conor Tiernan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Don Gotti!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Ivan Kurochkin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gotti scores with the left hand. Tiernan knows he should have avoided that one.
Tiernan throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tiernan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gotti wants to counter with a clinch but Tiernan pushes him away.
Gotti throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've been told by Tiernan's head coaches at Shark Tank MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Gotti checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gotti moves away from the strike by Tiernan.
Tiernan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gotti.

Tiernan closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Tiernan lands in his opponent's guard.
Gotti wants to sweep but no luck.
Gotti trying to control the position.

Tiernan stands and steps away. Gotti gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Tiernan feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gotti's calf.
Tiernan takes a swing at Gotti's ribcage but misses.
Gotti staying out of range there.
Gotti connects with a solid leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A decent looking cross lands there for Gotti.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Gotti enables Tiernan to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gotti manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiernan looking to pass the guard.

Gotti has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tiernan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Tiernan stands up from Gotti's guard - Tiernan perhaps looking for a knockout.
Gotti attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Gotti dips to his left and cracks Tiernan with an uppercut!
Gotti feints a jab promting Tiernan to slip. Gotti then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Tiernan slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Tiernan fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tiernan on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tiernan drops his hands momentarily and Gotti takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Tiernan connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gotti's hands.
Gotti scores with a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tiernan misses the jab.
Tiernan looks for a takedown but Gotti sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiernan misses the shot to the body.
It seemed like Gotti was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Gotti avoids the body shot from Tiernan.

Gotti shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tiernan is trying to defend but Gotti finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Tiernan is defending against the submission attempts here by Gotti.
Gotti trying to mount his opponent but Tiernan defends it.
Gotti keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Gotti is looking to advance position but Tiernan won't allow it.

Gotti looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Nice strikes from Gotti there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gotti is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tiernan has managed to free his arm - good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gotti is pressing down on Tiernan's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tiernan is holding on for now.
Tiernan wants to get back to full guard.

Tiernan actively working from the bottom here.
Gotti is looking to advance position but Tiernan won't allow it.

Gotti is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tiernan doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gotti.

That's four 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.
Tiernan makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tiernan.
Gotti controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gotti slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Tiernan prevents Gotti from moving into mount.

Gotti tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gotti has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Tiernan prevents Gotti from improving position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Gotti dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gotti bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Gotti looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Tiernan is avoiding damage well.
Tiernan is trying to get back to half guard.
Gotti wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tiernan keeps working.
Gotti is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Tiernan can't do much from the bottom here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gotti is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tiernan knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Gotti looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiernan tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gotti wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Tiernan can't do much from the bottom here.
Gotti wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tiernan keeps working.
Gotti postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Tiernan is not content to let Gotti control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tiernan prevents Gotti from improving position.

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.
Gotti throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Gotti trying to control the action but Tiernan is working from the bottom.

Gotti swings around for an armbar but Tiernan sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gotti's guard.
Tiernan trying to control the position from guard on top but Gotti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tiernan won't allow Gotti to sweep him here.
Tiernan's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Tiernan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gotti has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tiernan has managed to get both his arms back between Gotti's legs - danger averted.
Tiernan looking to pass the guard.

Gotti has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Tiernan is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Gotti.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tiernan decides to stand back up. Tiernan steps back and let's Gotti get back to his feet.
Tiernan bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gotti's head.
Gotti throws a head kick that half lands.
Tiernan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tiernan tries to land a front kick but Gotti steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Gotti on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tiernan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gotti swings for the body but Tiernan moves out of range.
Tiernan throws a body shot but no joy.
A telegraphed right hand from Gotti misses the target.
Gotti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tiernan moves away.
Tiernan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gotti.
Tiernan appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Tiernan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tiernan wants to land a leg kick but Gotti is out of range.
Don Gotti seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Gotti shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Tiernan manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tiernan is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tiernan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gotti doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gotti manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gotti trying to move into half guard but instead Tiernan has managed to sweep!

Gotti has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tiernan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Tiernan thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Tiernan stopping the sweep attempt from Gotti.
Tiernan looking to pass the guard.
Tiernan preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Don Gotti will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tiernan looks to land a left hand but Gotti moved out of range nicely.
Tiernan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gotti lands a right hook to the body.
Tiernan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tiernan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gotti misses with a hook.
Tiernan is looking to counter punch.
Gotti tries to score with a low kick but Tiernan moves his leg out of the way.
A punch combination from Gotti misses.
Tiernan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gotti.
Gotti is looking to score with low kicks.
Tiernan 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.
Tiernan lands with a hook. Gotti tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Gotti moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tiernan looks to land a left hand but Gotti moved out of range nicely.
Gotti lands a glancing blow to the side of Tiernan's head.
Gotti lands a body shot.
Tiernan connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gotti lands a glancing blow to the side of Tiernan's head.
Gotti avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiernan attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Tiernan just misses with a punch to the body.
Gotti misses with a low kick.
Tiernan throws a jab but it's blocked by Gotti.
Tiernan lands with a hook. Gotti tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Gotti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gotti keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Gotti.
Tiernan cracks a nice hook into Gotti's ribs.
Gotti is looking to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gotti. Tiernan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tiernan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tiernan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tiernan misses with a hook. Gotti ducked under it nicely.
Tiernan scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tiernan throws a head kick that misses.
Gotti defending well as Tiernan loads up on a big left hand.
A swing and a miss from Gotti.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiernan swings for the body but Gotti moves out of range.
Tiernan needs to keep his hands up - Gotti had a free shot at his head there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gotti gets a takedown into half guard.

Tiernan has one foot on Gotti's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Conor Tiernan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gotti is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tiernan.
Tiernan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gotti connects with a solid leg kick.
Tiernan throws out a loose jab but Gotti uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gotti uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tiernan.
Tiernan takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tiernan on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice uppercut lands for Gotti. That snapped Tiernan's head back.
Tiernan tries to clinch up but Gotti circles away and keeps his distance.
Tiernan ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Gotti avoids the body shot from Tiernan.
Don Gotti is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiernan lands a nice looking body shot.
Gotti fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Tiernan.
Tiernan tries a head kick but it misses.
The fighters circling - Tiernan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Gotti shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tiernan is trying to defend but Gotti finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Still in half guard, Gotti seems content to control.

Tiernan actively working from the bottom here.
Tiernan trying to control from the bottom.
Gotti tries to pass the half guard into mount. Tiernan knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gotti looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gotti is continuing to stall.
Gotti blocks the strikes from Tiernan.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Conor Tiernan.
Well Gotti 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Don Gotti!
Don Gotti spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.