PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mario Gonsalez (ranked 3211 p4p, 371 weight class) and Alexander Shligel (ranked 4655 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gonsalez
vs
Shligel

170 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mario Gonsalez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Shligel!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gonsalez.
Gonsalez looks for a takedown but Shligel sprawls well.
And Shligel tries to counter it with a takedown but Gonsalez pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Shligel lands with a nice combination. Gonsalez backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Mario Gonsalez has been cut.
Gonsalez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shligel as he jumps to the side.
It seemed like Shligel was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Gonsalez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gonsalez has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gonsalez there as he acknowledges the shot.

Gonsalez fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Shligel sprawls well initially but Gonsalez persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Shligel has one foot on Gonsalez's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

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

Gonsalez has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Shligel is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Gonsalez.
Shligel landing strikes.

Shligel tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Shligel has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Shligel wants to control but Gonsalez is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shligel staying calm.
Gonsalez tries to improve position but can't.
Gonsalez is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Check out the look on Shligel's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Shligel lands a nice forearm strike.
Shligel landing a few strikes.
Gonsalez tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Shligel wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The referee asks Shligel politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Shligel prefers to stall for the moment though.
Gonsalez taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Gonsalez's face as Shligel controls the position.
Gonsalez gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Gonsalez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gonsalez is breathing heavily.
Shligel not doing much here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shligel drops an elbow to the side of Gonsalez's head.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Shligel looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gonsalez looking for submissions off his back.

Gonsalez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Gonsalez looking for submissions off his back.
Gonsalez wants to sweep but Shligel has passed to side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gonsalez is looking to regain half guard here but Shligel keeps moving and retains side control.
Shligel wants to stand but Gonsalez has his arm trapped.
Gonsalez looking for a sweep but Shligel has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Shligel dominating with strikes here.
Gonsalez is looking to get to half guard.
Shligel looking to control but Gonsalez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Shligel wants to stand but Gonsalez is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Shligel sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Shligel lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Shligel dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mario Gonsalez's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gonsalez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shligel drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gonsalez defends it well.
Shligel is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Gonsalez fails with the takedown.

Shligel takes the fight into the clinch.

Shligel pulls guard successfully.
Shligel wants to stand up but Gonsalez is controlling him.
Shligel tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Gonsalez drops back looking for a leg! Shligel is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shligel manages to kick Gonsalez off! Gonsalez jumps back into Shligel's guard.
Gonsalez preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gonsalez drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shligel dives on top into guard.

Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shligel wants to pass the guard but Gonsalez is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gonsalez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Shligel gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Shligel landing some decent shots from guard.

Gonsalez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Shligel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shligel lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Gonsalez has his foot on Shligel's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shligel works his way back into a safe position though.
Shligel controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Shligel pushing down on Gonsalez's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Shligel seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Shligel trying to mount his opponent but Gonsalez defends it.
Shligel looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Shligel wants to get back to his feet.
Gonsalez is looking for a sweep. Shligel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gonsalez looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gonsalez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shligel pulls his head out easily.

Gonsalez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Shligel tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Gonsalez.
Shligel works his foot free and advances to mount.
Shligel takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Shligel is continuing to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shligel lands a couple of good shots and Gonsalez has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Shligel controlling from the back.
Alexander Shligel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shligel is trying to stick to Gonsalez's back but Gonsalez is turning into Shligel. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Shligel's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Gonsalez.
Shligel trying to control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shligel can do anything to dispel that myth.

Gonsalez postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Shligel is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gonsalez, into his guard.

Gonsalez keeping moving, preventing Shligel from controlling successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Shligel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

No luck for Gonsalez with that takedown attempt.
Gonsalez goes for a double leg but Shligel avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Shligel continues to drive forward.
Shligel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Gonsalez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Shligel has closed the distance and engaged Gonsalez in a clinch.
Gonsalez is trying to drag Shligel to the mat but Shligel just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Shligel drags the fight down to the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shligel is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shligel wants to get back to his feet but Gonsalez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Shligel has his foot on Gonsalez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gonsalez works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shligel throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Shligel pulls Gonsalez in to control the position.
Shligel 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.
Gonsalez looking to pass the guard.
Shligel manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gonsalez manages to get himself to full guard.

Shligel got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gonsalez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shligel has managed to get both his arms back between Gonsalez's legs - danger averted.

Shligel tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gonsalez manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gonsalez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shligel has managed to free his arm - good work.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Shligel. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Gonsalez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Gonsalez is working for a submission of some sort.

Gonsalez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shligel wants to get back to his feet.

Shligel looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shligel wants to control but Gonsalez is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Gonsalez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shligel has managed to free his arm - good work.

Gonsalez seems to be looking for submissions.
Shligel trying to hold on to Gonsalez's head to control him but Gonsalez postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Gonsalez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Gonsalez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Shligel is just riding it out for now. Gonsalez eventually gives up the hold.
Shligel tries to kick Gonsalez off but Gonsalez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shligel trying to hold on to Gonsalez's head to control him but Gonsalez postures up.
Mario Gonsalez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexander Shligel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gonsalez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shligel's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Shligel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shligel 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 Chris Downing scores the fight for Alexander Shligel!
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Alexander Shligel!
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight for Alexander Shligel!

Alexander Shligel wins by unanimous decision!