PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Edis Tatli (ranked 4848 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rob Gross (ranked 6486 p4p, 0 weight class). Rob Gross has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tatli
vs
Gross

182 cm
22
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

181 cm
19
160 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Edis Tatli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rob Gross!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, John Roberts and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tatli dives in and grabs Gross's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gross pushes down on Tatli's head and hops out.
Tatli slips a jab and a cross from Gross.
Tatli throws a right hand that Gross ducks under and follows up with a left that Gross also avoids with ease.
Gross tries to counter with a clinch but Tatli shakes him off and moves away.
Gross lands a jab-cross combination.
Gross misses with a few strikes there.
Tatli misses with a looping right.
Tatli waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gross.
Tatli will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tatli showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gross.
Tatli scores with a decent looking hook.
Tatli tries to bum rush Gross with a series of wild strikes but Gross uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gross lands a leg kick that knocks Tatli off balance momentarily.
Edis Tatli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gross throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gross misses with a two punch combination.
Tatli tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gross manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tatli pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tatli takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatli looks to throw the jab but Gross is out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tatli looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gross changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gross moves out of range as Tatli strikes.
Tatli tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gross paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tatli misses with an uppercut.
Gross cracks Tatli with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Tatli avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gross misses with a wild combination.
Tatli avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tatli scores with the left hand. Gross knows he should have avoided that one.
Tatli tries to close the distance and clinch but Gross swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gross tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tatli throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Gross counters by moving into the clinch.
Tatli is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Tatli.
Tatli has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Tatli breaks the clinch.
Gross takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tatli moves in looking to clinch but Gross pushes him off.
Gross scores with a hook to the body. Tatli takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tatli takes a swing at Gross's ribcage but misses.
Tatli fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gross tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tatli throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tatli tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gross manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tatli misses with a takedown attempt
and Gross counters with a series of strikes. Tatli will be more careful next time no doubt.
Tatli is breathing heavily.
A big left from Tatli misses.
Tatli throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gross throws a right hand that Tatli ducks under and follows up with a left that Tatli also avoids with ease.
Both fighters circling a little - Gross finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Gross swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatli showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gross.
Tatli throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gross counters with a left and a right that stings Tatli.
Tatli misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gross.
Gross lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Gross rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tatli moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tatli is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gross.
Gross circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gross slips a straight right by Tatli.
Gross scores with a three punch combo!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gross connects with a right hand. Tatli shakes it off.
Gross pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Tatli back to the cage. Gross follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Tatli fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've been informed that Gross has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Gross lands a nice shot to the body.
Gross ducks under a wild hook from Tatli.
Tatli misses with a looping left.
Gross lands a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatli swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Gross. Tatli shrugs it off though.
Rob Gross is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gross throws a right and a left that Tatli avoids nicely.
Gross thuds his right hand into Tatli's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Tatli is looking to clinch.
Gross throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gross misses with a jab, cross combination.
A right-left combo lands from Gross.
Tatli lands a really nice looking cross but Gross seems unphased.
Gross misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gross throws a right hand that Tatli ducks under and follows up with a left that Tatli also avoids with ease.
Tatli jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gross shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Tatli eats them both and turns towards Gross to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Tatli tries to close the distance and clinch but Gross swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gross swats away the attempt to clinch by Tatli.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gross lets loose with a powerful body kick. Tatli will feel that in the morning.
Tatli misses with a looping right.
Gross changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Tatli throws a jab but it's blocked by Gross.
Gross stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Gross connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tatli momentarily.
Gross works over Tatli's head and body with a nice combination.
Tatli swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tatli is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Gross looks to land a combination but Tatli avoids it well.
Tatli moves out of range of the body kick.
Tatli is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tatli tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gross swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tatli wants to clinch.
Gross tries to counter with a clinch but Tatli shakes him off and moves away.
Tatli wants to clinch up but Gross keeps it at a distance.
Gross throws a right hand that Tatli ducks under and follows up with a left that Tatli also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatli takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gross!
Tatli scores with a nice strike.
Tatli tries to clinch but Gross is having none of it.
Tatli misses with a looping left.
Gross moves out of range as Tatli strikes.
Gross tries to counter with a clinch but Tatli shakes him off and moves away.
Tatli misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gross.
Gross is looking for the big counter here.
Tatli swings for the body but Gross moves out of range.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Gross in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Gross moves away from the strike by Tatli.
Gross lands a two punch combo.
Tatli misses with a combination

and Gross counters with a single leg into guard. Tatli didn't expect that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gross won't allow Tatli to sweep him here.

Gross stands up from Tatli's guard - Gross perhaps looking for a knockout.
Rob Gross is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A big left from Tatli misses.
Gross bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tatli's head backwards.
Tatli looks to land a left hand but Gross moved out of range nicely.
Rob Gross seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatli tries to clinch but Gross moves out of range.
A punch combination from Gross misses.
Tatli misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gross lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Gross fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tatli has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Gross swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tatli is looking to clinch.
Gross misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gross misses with a series of wild punches.
Gross connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tatli momentarily.
Some wild striking there from Gross.
Tatli tries to clinch there but Gross circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gross throws a series of punches but Tatli moves out of range.
Gross avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tatli showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gross.
Gross is looking to land body kicks.
Tatli is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tatli ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gross fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tatli on the side of the head.
Gross slips under a jab.
Tatli darts in looking for a takedown but Gross gets double underhooks and turns Tatli into the cage.
Gross misses with a few strikes there.
A swing and a miss from Tatli.
Gross misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gross throws a nice looking combination but Tatli bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatli looks to land a left hand but Gross moved out of range nicely.
A jab from Tatli misses.
Gross misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tatli tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gross swivels and escapes.
Gross moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gross closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Tatli takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Gross keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gross replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Tatli blocks it well.
Gross throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tatli.
Tatli misses with a hook.
Gross is working the combinations to good effect here.
Gross looks to land a combination but Tatli avoids it well.
Tatli throws the left hand but Gross avoids the punch easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gross looks to land a combination but Tatli avoids it well.
Tatli tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gross manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gross is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gross throws a right and a left that Tatli avoids nicely.
Tatli throws a good cross that connects.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Gross showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Gross scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Tatli throws a hook but Gross blocks it.
Sloppy strikes from Tatli. Those never looked like landing.
Tatli fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gross throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tatli.
Tatli is looking to clinch.
Tatli avoids the head kick by Gross.
Gross throws a right and a left that Tatli avoids nicely.
Gross avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tatli sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Tatli tries to clinch but Gross is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tatli tries to clinch up but Gross circles away and keeps his distance.
Tatli wants to clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Good standup being displayed there by Tatli as he connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatli tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gross swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gross on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Tatli fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gross lands a jab-cross combination.
Tatli takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gross scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Gross lands a jab-cross combination.
Gross looks to land a combination but Tatli avoids it well.
Gross scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gross moves out of range as Tatli strikes.
Tatli tries to clinch but Gross moves out of range.
Gross has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tatli tries to clinch up.
Tatli misses with a hook.
Tatli wants to clinch up but Gross keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gross feints a jab promting Tatli to slip. Gross then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Tatli slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Gross misses with a kick to the body.
Tatli throwing a counter right hand but Gross manages to avoid it.
Gross slips a jab from Tatli.
Tatli moves out of range of the body kick from Gross.
Tatli takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gross uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tatli.
Gross stalks Tatli and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tatli's face. Tatli staggers backwards, shaken.
Gross throws a sloppy head kick and Tatli moves out of range easily.
Tatli looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tatli stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Gross lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gross.
Gross circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tatli slips a jab and a cross from Gross.
Tatli scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A jab from Tatli misses.
Gross slaps away a takedown attempt from Tatli, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edis Tatli. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gross throws a series of punches but Tatli avoids them all with ease.
Gross looks for the body kick but Tatli saw that one coming.
Gross takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Gross moves out of range of the strikes.
Gross lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tatli circles away quickly and effectively.
Tatli tries to close the distance and clinch but Gross swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tatli is looking to clinch.
Gross tries a head kick but it misses.
Tatli tries to clinch up.
Gross changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gross misses with a wild combination.
Gross ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tatli tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gross swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tatli fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tatli doesn't manage to clinch there - Gross circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gross moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Tatli walks into a straight right hand from Gross.
Some wild striking there from Gross.
Tatli doesn't manage to clinch there - Gross circles away.
Gross takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gross swats away the attempt to clinch by Tatli.
Tatli tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gross manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gross misses with a wild combination.
Gross works over Tatli's head and body with a nice combination.
Gross gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Edis Tatli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rob Gross is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tatli throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gross swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rob Gross comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gross winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rob Gross!