PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Danish Ali (ranked 23875 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hunter Goethals (ranked 24648 p4p, 0 weight class). Goethals has chosen Going Bad by Meek Mill Ft Drake as his entrance music. Hunter Goethals is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Ali
vs
Goethals

180 cm
20
150 lbs
0 - 7 - 1

182 cm
22
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Danish Ali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hunter Goethals!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ali darts in looking for a takedown but Goethals gets double underhooks and turns Ali into the cage.
Ali fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Goethals with the counter takedown but Ali avoids it easily.
Goethals lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ali backs up against the cage.
Nice takedown defense from Goethals. No joy for Ali on that attempt.
Goethals throws a fast counter high kick but Ali manages to duck under it in time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danish Ali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ali misses with a takedown
and Goethals counters with a one-two to the body.
Ali fails to land the takedown.
Goethals changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Goethals stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Goethals wants it to stay on the feet.
Goethals changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Goethals is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Ali is breathing heavily.
Ali fails with the takedown
and Goethals counters with a nice uppercut.
Goethals shoots in for a takedown but Ali shows good takedown defense.

Goethals closes the distance and pushes Ali back into the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Goethals prevents Ali from breaking the clinch.
Ali avoids the elbow strike from Goethals, against the cage.
Goethals drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ali is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goethals wants a takedown but no success here.
Ali is trying to push Goethals away but Goethals has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Goethals keeps control of Ali as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ali has had enough of the clinch but Goethals keeps him there for the moment.
Ali is trying to break the clinch but Goethals has him pressed against the cage.
Ali tries to circle away but Goethals has him pinned against the cage.

Goethals jumps guard.
Goethals throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Goethals has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ali won't allow Goethals to sweep him here.

Goethals uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Goethals shoots in looking for a takedown. Ali tries to sprawl out of it but Goethals keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ali manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Goethals bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ali's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali shoots in for a takedown but Goethals shows good takedown defense.
Goethals shoots in for a double leg but Ali sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Goethals shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ali fails with the takedown
and Goethals counters with a left and a right that stings Ali.

Ali closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Goethals to the mat! Goethals manages to get full guard.

Goethals manages to escape and get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Goethals dives in for a single leg takedown but Ali sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Goethals gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Goethals tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ali is looking to break free of the clinch but Goethals has double underhooks.
Goethals keeps control of Ali as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ali is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goethals tries to pull guard but Ali holds him up against the cage and eventually Goethals drops back down to his feet.

Ali escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Goethals shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ali eats them both and turns towards Goethals to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Ali leaves Goethals with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ali fails with a takedown attempt.
Ali shoots and misses
and Goethals counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Goethals darts in and clinches Ali up against the cage.

Goethals manages to break the clinch.
Goethals lands with a nice combination. Ali backs away looking to recover.
Ali misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Goethals shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ali but Ali pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ali takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ali tries for a takedown but Goethals circles away easily

and Goethals counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Goethals is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ali pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Goethals breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ali shoots in for a double leg but Goethals sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ali stuffs the takedown.
Ali is looking to counter punch.
Goethals will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ali shoots in but Goethals avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Goethals shoots in and drives through. Ali sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hunter Goethals dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ali closes this distance looking for a takedown but Goethals circles away.
Goethals tries a head kick but it misses.

Goethals closes the distance and clinches.
Goethals has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Ali escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Goethals displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ali.

Goethals takes the fight into the clinch.
Ali has had enough of the clinch but Goethals keeps him there for the moment.

Goethals ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Goethals no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goethals is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Goethals trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goethals has his foot on Ali's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ali works his way back into a safe position though.
Goethals working a defensive guard here.
Goethals might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ali haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ali fails with the takedown
and Goethals counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danish Ali. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goethals fails with the takedown.
Goethals is breathing heavily.
Ali shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Goethals sprawls well. Goethals wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ali gets slowly back to his feet.
Ali closes the distance and clinches up with Goethals, looking for a takedown. Ali pushes Goethals against the cage but Goethals circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ali shoots for a takedown but Goethals saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A lazy left from Goethals finds it's target.
A nice combination there by Goethals.
Hunter Goethals seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Goethals throws a leg kick but Ali moved away.
Goethals lands with a nice body punch.
Ali misses with a takedown
and Goethals counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ali thinking.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Goethals throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Goethals closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goethals is trying to pull guard but Ali has him pressed against the cage.
Ali is pressed up against the cage. Goethals has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ali down to the mat. Ali avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ali.

Goethals takes the fight into the clinch.

Goethals escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Goethals fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Ali closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ali lands in his opponent's guard.
Goethals wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Goethals is proving hard to escape from.
Goethals is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Ali stands up from guard. Let's bang!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ali.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hunter Goethals showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Goethals clinches with his opponent.
Goethals works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Goethals breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Goethals goes for a double leg but Ali avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ali continues to drive forward.
Goethals fails with the takedown.

Goethals clinches.
Goethals wants to break the clinch but can't.

Ali manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goethals throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ali goes for a double leg but Goethals avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Goethals continues to drive forward.
Goethals takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Goethals pushes Ali up against the cage in a clinch.
Goethals's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Ali tries to break free but Goethals pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goethals wants a takedown.
Danish Ali has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hunter Goethals.

Ali breaks the clinch.
Danish Ali seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Goethals closes the distance and clinches up with Ali, looking for a takedown. Goethals pushes Ali against the cage but Ali circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Goethals tries to land a leg kick but Ali saw it coming and moves away.

Goethals moves into the clinch successfully.
Ali keeps control of Goethals as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Ali breaks from the clinch.
No luck for Ali with that takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Goethals is defended easily by Ali.
Goethals lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ali circles away quickly and effectively.
Ali shoots in but Goethals avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A little jabbing left from Goethals on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Goethals defends it nicely.

Goethals pushes Ali up against the cage in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Ali's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ali is trying to force a seperation but Goethals has the dominant position.

Ali pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Goethals shoots in looking for a takedown. Ali tries to sprawl out of it but Goethals keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ali manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Goethals looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ali is fending him off so far but Goethals persists. Nope, Ali circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goethals displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ali.
Goethals dives in and grabs Ali's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ali pushes down on Goethals's head and hops out.
Ali fails with the takedown.
Goethals tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ali sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Goethals somewhat.
Goethals slaps away a takedown attempt from Ali, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Goethals fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ali, pushing him back against the cage.
Ali tries to circle away but Goethals has him pinned against the cage.

Ali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Goethals lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Ali. No joy for Goethals on that attempt.
Ali with a poor takedown
and Goethals counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Goethals shoots in for a takedown but Ali shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ali closes the distance and clinches up with Goethals, looking for a takedown. Ali pushes Goethals against the cage but Goethals circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ali with a lazy takedown attempt

and Goethals counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Goethals keeps control of Ali as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Ali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Goethals has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ali is trying to break the clinch but Goethals is controlling him.
Goethals wants a takedown but no success here.

Ali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ali tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Goethals swivels and escapes.

Goethals moves into the clinch.
Danish Ali has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hunter Goethals is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A frustrated look appears on Ali's face as he tries to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hunter Goethals comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Goethals 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hunter Goethals!
Hunter Goethals thanked the fans post fight for their support.
The defeated Danish Ali had this to say: 'will try my best next '.