PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Gentil (ranked 23595 p4p, 572 weight class) and Atticus Finch (ranked 4357 p4p, 415 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.

Gentil
vs
Finch

177 cm
20
166 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

178 cm
21
156 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Conviction

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Gentil!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Atticus Finch!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Finch takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Finch fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gentil, pushing him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gentil.
Finch with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Finch tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice left hand lands by Gentil.
Finch misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gentil lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gentil trying to control the position but instead, Finch has worked for underhooks and has pushed Gentil into the cage.
Gentil keeps control of Finch as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A left hand lands to the body for Gentil.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short left from Gentil.
Gentil is pushing Finch up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Finch swings wildly with an uppercut but Gentil uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gentil blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gentil will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Finch up against the cage.
Come on Gentil - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Finch lands with a right to the head.
Finch looking to slow down the pace here.
Gentil throws a head punch that misses.
Finch just leaning against Gentil, taking a breather.
Finch has a couple of punches blocked by Gentil.
Gentil blocks a body shot from Finch.
Finch tries to work over Gentil's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right hook to the body lands for Gentil.
Gentil throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Finchs head.
A short right from Finch.
Finch misses with the head strike.
I was talking to Gentil's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Gentil is pushing Finch up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Finch tries to land knees in the clinch but Gentil avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finch with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Finch looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Gentil taking a breather.

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

Finch gets a clinch.
Finch throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gentil stalls.
Finch misses with an elbow strike.
Finch takes a shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gentil will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Finch up against the cage.
Gentil throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Finchs head.
Still in the clinch, Finch scores with a nice short uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Gentil.
Gentil lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Finch misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gentil works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finch misses with a hook from the clinch.
Finch tries a body shot but Gentil blocks it.
Finch struggles to land a body shot inside as Gentil controls his hands.
Finch using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gentil has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Gentil lands a body punch in the clinch.
Finch controlling the action here for a moment.

Finch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gentil lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The fighters circling - Gentil throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A little jabbing left from Finch on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Gentil blocks a head kick by Finch.
Gentil tried to counter with a leg kick but Finch avoided it.
Gentil thows a left - swing and a miss!
Finch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gentil fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Finch manages to avoid it.
Finch ducks under a wild hook from Gentil.

Gentil fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Finch, pushing him back against the cage.
Finch is trying to break the clinch but Gentil is controlling him.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Finch as Gentil tries to tie him up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gentil lands with a short shot to the head.

Finch breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice defenses there by Finch.
Gentil throws a front kick that sends Finch stumbling back into the cage.
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!
Gentil throws a wild body kick that Finch sees coming a mile off.
Finch misses with a hook to the body
and Gentil counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gentil misses with a wild body shot.
Finch lands a slapping body shot.
Finch throws a front kick aimed at Gentil's knee but Gentil avoids it well.

Finch has Gentil up against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Finch.
Gentil working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Finch has a couple of punches blocked by Gentil.
A shot in the inside from Finch.
Gentil lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Finch.
Gentil works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Gentil dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Finch misses with a body shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Finch.
Finch throws a looping overhand right but Gentil ducks down to avoid it.
A counter left hand to the body from Gentil misses its target.
Gentil swings for the body but Finch moves out of range.
Finch only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Finch throws a lazy uppercut
and Gentil counters with a stiff right hand.

Finch forces Gentil back against the cage and clinches.
Finch tries to work over Gentil's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Finch goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A bit of stalling here from Gentil.
Finch blocks an uppercut.
Gentil lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gentil is trying to stall.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finch misses with a punch on the inside.
Gentil lands an uppercut.
Gentil lands with a right to the head.
Finch lands a nice shot to the body.
Paulo Gentil has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gentil keeps control of Finch as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finch scores with a shot to the side of Gentil's head.

Finch escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Finch throws a right hand that misses
and Gentil connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Finch tries a head kick but it misses.
Gentil looks to land a right hand but Finch moved out of range.
Finch takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A lazy body kick from Finch
and Gentil counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Finch throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gentil dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Finch. That did some damage!
Finch uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gentil.
Gentil staying out of range there.
Gentil on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Finch closes the distance and pushes Gentil back into the cage.
Gentil scores with an uppercut up the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Finch is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A body shot lands from Gentil.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finch lands a body punch in the clinch.
Gentil swings wildly with an uppercut but Finch uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gentil misses with some punches.
Finch misses with a punch on the inside.
Finch is looking to control Gentil's arms but Gentil gets an underhook and turns him. Now Finch has his back to the cage.
Finch lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Finch wants to get back to striking at distance but Gentil won't allow it.
Finch looking to slow down the pace here.
Finch swings wildly with an uppercut but Gentil uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gentil.
Finch lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gentil misses with a hook to the ribs.
Finch lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gentil backwards.
Gentil lands with a right to the head.
Gentil tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gentil lands with a right to the head.
Finch tries to throw a body punch but Gentil avoids it by throwing Finch back against the cage.
Gentil lands with a left to the head.
Gentil lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Finch.
Gentil swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Finch fails to land.
Gentil is struggling to control the position.
Gentil lands a left hand.
Finch misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gentil digs a right hand into Finch's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Finch's gas tank.
Finch misses with some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gentil creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gentil swings wildly with an uppercut but Finch uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gentil lands a shot to the body.
Gentil scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gentil.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Gentil.
Finch misses with the head strike.
Gentil lands with a left to the head.
Finch misses with a hook to the ribs.
Finch misses with a short punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gentil.
Gentil scores with a shot to the side of Finch's head.
Gentil stalls.
Finch wants to get back to striking at distance but Gentil won't allow it.
Gentil is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Finch can do to turn this around?
Finch working aggressively here.
Finch looking to throw knees to the head but Gentil is blocking nicely.
Finch taking a breather.
Finch tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gentil's elbow.
Gentil scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Good body shot from Gentil.
Finch is breathing heavily.
Gentil throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Finchs head.
Gentil'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.
Gentil lands a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Gentil dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Finch forces Gentil back against the cage and clinches.
Gentil lands with a short shot to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gentil creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Finch tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gentil controlling the action here for a moment.
Gentil scores with a shot to the side of Finch's head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gentil.
Gentil lands with a left to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Finch wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Finch presses Gentil against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gentil tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Finch's elbow.
Finch blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Finch takes a shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Gentil.
Finch has a couple of punches blocked by Gentil.
Finch looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Good body shot from Finch.
Gentil throws a punch but it's blocked by Finch.
Finch'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.
Finch doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gentil working aggressively here.
Gentil has Finch pressed against the cage, preventing Finch from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Finch just leaning against Gentil, taking a breather.
Gentil doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gentil.
Finch throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gentils head.
Gentil trying to control the position but instead, Finch has worked for underhooks and has pushed Gentil into the cage.
Finch slows down the pace here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gentil lands a shoulder strike.
Gentil stalling in the clinch.
Gentil works on Finch's body with a couple of short punches.
Gentil swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gentil lands with a light punch inside.
Gentil blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gentil misses with a punch on the inside.
Finch tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Finch misses with the head strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Finch tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Finch takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gentil blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Finch throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gentil lands a nice uppercut.
Finch wants to stall.
Gentil lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Gentil pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gentil controlling the action here for a moment.
Gentil lands a right hand that snaps the head of Finch backwards.
Finch goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gentil blocking some punches.
Gentil lands a shoulder strike.
Gentil'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.
A short right from Gentil on the inside.
Gentil tries a body shot but Finch blocks it.
Gentil's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Gentil is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Finch throws a punch but it's blocked by Gentil.
Finch takes a shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Gentil dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Finch goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gentil just leaning against Finch, taking a breather.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Gentil takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Paulo Gentil.
Gentil throws a wild body kick that Finch sees coming a mile off.
Finch now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Finch darts in and clinches Gentil up against the cage.
Paulo Gentil is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Finch wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gentil lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Finch goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gentil misses with the head strike.
Finch can't break the clinch.
Gentil misses with a short punch on the inside.
Atticus Finch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Finch swings wildly with an uppercut but Gentil uses good head movement to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paulo Gentil showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gentil has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paulo Gentil!
Paulo Gentil decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.