PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sonny Gilchrist (ranked 1850 p4p, 1811 weight class) and Pablo Itzpapalotltotec (ranked 202 p4p, 200 weight class). Itzpapalotltotec is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Copacabana - Barry Manilow. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Gilchrist
vs
Itzpapalotltotec

171 cm
28
146
8 - 3 - 0

173 cm
19
155
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Core Combat

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sonny Gilchrist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pablo Itzpapalotltotec!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Leandro Rodrigues and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gilchrist fails with the takedown
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a nice uppercut.
Gilchrist tries to clinch up
enabling Itzpapalotltotec to counter with a crisp jab.
Itzpapalotltotec leaves Gilchrist with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It seemed like Itzpapalotltotec was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gilchrist misses with a takedown attempt - Itzpapalotltotec sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Itzpapalotltotec throws out a counter right but Gilchrist avoids it with no problem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sonny Gilchrist. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gilchrist closes the distance and clinches up with Itzpapalotltotec, looking for a takedown. Gilchrist pushes Itzpapalotltotec against the cage but Itzpapalotltotec circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Itzpapalotltotec looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sonny Gilchrist seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Itzpapalotltotec gets caught napping as Gilchrist dives in and scores a takedown. Itzpapalotltotec manages to retain guard.
Itzpapalotltotec is controlling Gilchrist's posture.

Itzpapalotltotec working for a triangle but Gilchrist defends it easily.
Our spies down at at ZuccoTraining Ground inform us that Itzpapalotltotec has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Gilchrist stops Itzpapalotltotec from standing up.
Gilchrist content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Itzpapalotltotec seems keen to control Gilchrist's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gilchrist missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Itzpapalotltotec has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gilchrist can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Itzpapalotltotec is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gilchrist looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Itzpapalotltotec is defending well. Gilchrist quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Itzpapalotltotec has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Gilchrist celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Sonny Gilchrist!
Sonny Gilchrist really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Core Combat logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.