PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Julian Gniewek (ranked 3312 p4p, 280 weight class) and Mom Cheating (ranked 2235 p4p, 211 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Gniewek
vs
Cheating

181 cm
32
155 lbs
13 - 13 - 0

173 cm
36
142 lbs
18 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 13 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Julian Gniewek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mom Cheating!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Joseph Jones and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cheating walks into a straight right hand from Gniewek.
Cheating throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gniewek counters with a thumping low kick.
Cheating takes a kick to the side of the head.
Gniewek pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Gniewek feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Cheating's calf.
Cheating fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gniewek is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Cheating.
Cheating throws a poor cross that misses
and Gniewek counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Gniewek keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cheating.
Good shot there by Cheating.
A big left from Cheating misses.
A little feinted left hand from Gniewek on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Gniewek defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cheating.
An inside leg kick from Cheating misses.
Cheating tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gniewek swivels and escapes.
Gniewek seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cheating looks to throw the jab but Gniewek is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Gniewek.
Gniewek is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Cheating.
Gniewek lands a nice looking body kick.
Cheating looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gniewek on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Gniewek ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cheating moves away.
Cheating is looking to clinch.
It looked like Gniewek was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Cheating missing with a left hand there. Gniewek was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mom Cheating seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gniewek chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Gniewek connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cheating looks to land a right hand but Gniewek moved out of range.
Gniewek throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Cheating doesn't manage to clinch there - Gniewek circles away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cheating. That's going to slow Gniewek down.
Cheating throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gniewek counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cheating tries to score with a low kick but Gniewek moves his leg out of the way.
Cheating is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Gniewek defending well as Cheating loads up on a big left hand.
Gniewek was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A slow jab from Cheating misses its intended target.
It looked like Gniewek wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A jab from Gniewek does it's job there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gniewek moves out of range as Cheating strikes.
Cheating misses with a body shot.
Gniewek throwing a counter right hand but Cheating manages to avoid it.
Gniewek ducks under a wild hook from Cheating.
Cheating scores with a sloppy right hand. Gniewek should have avoided that one.
Donk. Cheating catches Gniewek right on the button with a cross.
Cheating lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gniewek avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gniewek tries to clinch there but Cheating circles away.
Cheating throws a poor cross that misses
and Gniewek makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Cheating really felt that one!
Cheating jabs Gniewek right on the nose. Gniewek blinks but takes it well.
Gniewek paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gniewek lands with a nice body kick.
Cheating jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A lazy body kick from Cheating

and Gniewek counters by moving into the clinch.
Cheating tries to break free but Gniewek pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cheating's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Gniewek lands a knee to the head.
Cheating is looking to break free of the clinch but Gniewek has double underhooks.
Cheating misses with the head strike.
Gniewek working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Cheating tries to break the clinch but Gniewek is controlling the position.
Gniewek lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gniewek lands with a right to the head.
Gniewek crunches a lovely knee into Cheating's ribcage.
Gniewek lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Cheating is trying to break free.
Cheating is trying to break free.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Gniewek.
A frustrated look appears on Cheating's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gniewek misses with a knee to the head.
Cheating tries to circle away but Gniewek has him pinned against the cage.
Gniewek avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cheating looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gniewek'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.
Cheating wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gniewek prevents Cheating from breaking the clinch.
Gniewek pushes Cheating back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gniewek throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cheatings head.
Gniewek lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cheating wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A frustrated look appears on Cheating's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gniewek jumps guard but Cheating stands there with Gniewek around his waist. Gniewek gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gniewek lands a knee to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gniewek.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Gniewek dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Cheating has a takedown stuffed.
Gniewek throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gniewek uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cheating.
Gniewek is looking to counter the offense by Cheating and move into the clinch.
Cheating scores with a hook to the body. Gniewek takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gniewek.
Gniewek is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Cheating steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Gniewek. That one must have hurt.
Gniewek thumps Cheating with a low kick.

Cheating tries to keep at a distance but Gniewek has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cheating is looking to break free of the clinch but Gniewek has double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cheating ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Cheating no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Gniewek slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Gniewek is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cheating knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gniewek tries for a kimura but Cheating is defending well.
Gniewek wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cheating keeps working.
Cheating tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cheating really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gniewek. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cheating is letting Gniewek control him for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

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

Gniewek swings around for an armbar but Cheating sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gniewek's guard.
Cheating wants to stand but Gniewek has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Cheating preventing the sweep.

Gniewek working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cheating doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cheating manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gniewek is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cheating can do to turn this around?

Cheating avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gniewek working a defensive guard here.

Gniewek is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cheating is aware though and is defending well.
Gniewek pulls Cheating in close to prevent any damage.
Gniewek trying to keep a closed guard but Cheating is proving a slippery customer.
Cheating wants to stand but Gniewek is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Gniewek escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cheating gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gniewek has Cheating pulled in close to control his posture.
Cheating stopping the sweep attempt from Gniewek.
Cheating controls from within his opponent's guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cheating stands and steps away. Gniewek gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Gniewek dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, 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.

Gniewek staying out of range there.
Gniewek showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cheating.
Gniewek uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cheating.
Cheating misses with a right hand
and Gniewek counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cheating waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gniewek.
Cheating tries for a takedown but Gniewek sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cheating throws a jab but it's blocked by Gniewek.
Gniewek tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cheating swings widly with a right hand
and Gniewek counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cheating lunges at Gniewek with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gniewek's hand.
Cheating needs to keep his hands up - Gniewek had a free shot at his head there.
Nice body kick from Gniewek.
It looks like Gniewek has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Cheating waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gniewek.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gniewek steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cheating.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gniewek closes the distance and clinches.
Gniewek lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cheating backwards.
Cheating drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gniewek gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A shot in the inside from Gniewek.
Gniewek landing knees to the body.
Cheating wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gniewek is pressed up against the cage. Cheating has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Gniewek down to the mat. Gniewek avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Julian Gniewek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mom Cheating.

Gniewek closes the distance and clinches.
Gniewek misses with a knee strike.
Gniewek misses with a knee strike.
Gniewek doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gniewek has Cheating pressed against the cage, preventing Cheating from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The referee is keeping an eye on Gniewek - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gniewek stalling against the cage.
Gniewek landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Cheating takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gniewek landing knees to the head.
Gniewek scores with a knee to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cheating wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gniewek lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Cheating is rocked!

It looks like Mom Cheating has been cut.
Gniewek lands a knee to the head.
Cheating is still on wobbly legs! Can Gniewek finish him?
Gniewek using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cheating has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Julian Gniewek is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cheating can't break the clinch.
A short right from Gniewek on the inside.
Gniewek has Cheating pressed up against the cage in a tight Thai clinch. Cheating is arching his back, trying to avoid the knees but a big one sneaks through from Gniewek - that's hurt Cheating badly! Oh, another knee lands and Cheating is covering up! The referee steps in to save him - possibly a bit early but Cheating doesn't seem to be complaining.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knees). Julian Gniewek!
During a confident post fight interview, Julian Gniewek thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.