PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Clark Channell (ranked 3340 p4p, 371 weight class) and Ronaldo Gonya (ranked 3648 p4p, 394 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Channell
vs
Gonya

190 cm
25
192 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

190 cm
18
190 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Clark Channell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Ronaldo Gonya!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Wagner Zegers and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Channell scores with a head kick. Gonya tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gonya displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Channell throws out the jab.
Channell keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gonya.

Channell closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Channell.
Gonya misses with a short punch on the inside.
Channell lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Ronaldo Gonya has been cut.
Channell lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Channell is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Gonya swings wildly with an uppercut but Channell uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gonya swings wildly with an uppercut but Channell uses good head movement to avoid it.
Channell fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Channell lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gonya.
Channell throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gonya blocks it with crossed arms.
Gonya wants to stall.
Channell lands a damaging elbow.
Channell is pushing Gonya up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonya misses with the head strike.

Channell manages to break the clinch.

Channell closes the distance and clinches.
Gonya misses with a punch on the inside.
Channell tries to land a knee to the head but Gonya blocks with his arms.
Channell creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gonya's defenses.
Gonya misses with a punch on the inside.
Gonya working aggressively here.
Gonya tries to throw a body punch but Channell avoids it by throwing Gonya back against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Channell.
Channell tries to stall but Gonya uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Gonya lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gonya takes a shot to the head.
Channell lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Channell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Channell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonya blocks a head kick by Channell.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Channell misses with a series of wild punches.
Gonya blocks a head kick by Channell.
A head kick by Channell misses
and Gonya counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Clark Channell has been cut.
A solid body kick from Channell.
Channell misses with a double jab.
Clark Channell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Channell throws a sloppy head kick and Gonya moves out of range easily.
Channell wants to clinch up but Gonya keeps it at a distance.
Gonya is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gonya uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Channell.
Gonya doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A head kick by Channell misses

and Gonya counters with a series of strikes that sends Channell to the canvas! Gonya follows down into guard, looking to finish the fight!
Channell is breathing heavily.
Gonya wants to control from the top but Channell keeps moving.
Gonya throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've been hearing good reports from Channell's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonya trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gonya controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gonya missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gonya's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Gonya looking to pass the guard.
Channell avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gonya is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gonya accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gonya slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gonya throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Channell works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gonya looking to sit in guard and control but Channell gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gonya is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Channell avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Channell won't allow Gonya to sweep him here.

Gonya looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Channell has picked Gonya up and slammed him! Gonya can't keep hold of the triangle and Channell manages to pass to side control!
Gonya is trying to improve his position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gonya has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Channell is looking to take a break and control but Gonya is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gonya is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Channell's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Gonya is trying to get back to full guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Gonya trying to control but Channell postures up.
Gonya moves into full guard.

Gonya looking for a guillotine here but Channell defends easily.

Gonya is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Channell wants to control from the top but Gonya keeps moving.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Gonya is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Gonya is looking for a triangle here but Channell uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Channell is looking to take a break and control but Gonya is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gonya tries to bench press Channell off him but Channell keeps the position.
Gonya gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gonya manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Gonya throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gonya wants to sweep but no luck.

Gonya is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Channell has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Gonya has his foot on Channell's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Channell works his way back into a safe position though.
Gonya manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Channell manages to get himself to full guard.

Gonya is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Channell keeping moving, preventing Gonya from controlling successfully.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gonya cracks Channell with a solid left hand.
Channell can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gonya controls the pace.
Gonya postures up in Channell's guard and throws a big left but Channell blocks it.
Gonya with a nice head shot there.
Gonya trying to control the position from guard on top but Channell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Channell not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gonya is in close to Channell's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ronaldo Gonya will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Channell throws a sloppy head kick
and Gonya makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gonya checks the leg kick.
Channell throws a body kick that misses
and Gonya counters with a one-two to the body.
Gonya throws a nice looking combination but Channell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Channell is looking to clinch.
Gonya throws a counter combo.
Gonya looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Channell looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Channell tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Gonya counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Channell wants to clinch
and Gonya counters with a straight that turns Channell's legs to rubber! Gonya pushes forward with more strikes and Channell goes down, battered and bloody! That's a wrap folks!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ronaldo Gonya!
A victorious Ronaldo Gonya thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.