PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Frankie Doms (ranked 1812 p4p, 3101 weight class) and Justin Gaethje (ranked 222 p4p, 371 weight class). 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?

Doms
vs
Gaethje

180 cm
24
167
10 - 7 - 0

175 cm
23
165
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Core Combat

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 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Frankie Doms!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Justin Gaethje!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Gregory Folan and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Doms misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Doms throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Doms turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Gaethje scores with a one two! Doms had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Gaethje missing with a left hand there. Doms was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gaethje throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Doms stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Doms throws the kick towards the body but Gaethje avoids it.
Gaethje turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Gaethje fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Doms manages to avoid it.
Doms takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Gaethje lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Doms backs up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gaethje throws a body shot but no joy.
Doms takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Gaethje clinches.
Gaethje keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Doms's efforts to push away.
Gaethje tries to throw a body punch but Doms avoids it by throwing Gaethje back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Doms swings wildly with an uppercut but Gaethje uses good head movement to avoid it.
Doms wants to get back to striking at distance but Gaethje won't allow it.
Doms blocking some punches.

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

Gaethje has closed the distance and engaged Doms in a clinch.
Come on Gaethje - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Gaethje scores with a shot to the side of Doms's head.
A frustrated look appears on Doms's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Doms breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gaethje throws a leg kick
and Doms counters with a nice body kick.
Doms throws a push kick but Gaethje slaps the foot to one side.
Doms misses with a low kick as Gaethje jumps back.
Gaethje is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Doms with a body shot.
Gaethje throws a solid leg kick but Doms takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gaethje.
Gaethje pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje lands with a good body shot.
Gaethje misses with a wild body shot.
Doms tries a head kick but it misses.
Gaethje tries to clinch but Doms is having none of it.
Doms scoring well with a low kick there.
Gaethje takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
A solid leg kick lands there for Gaethje.
Doms with a nice calf kick.
Gaethje misses with an uppercut. Doms saw that one coming.
Doms throws a quick counter kick to the body but Gaethje avoids it.
Doms scores with a kick to the midsection.
Gaethje misses with a low kick.
And Doms counters with a quick kick to the body but Gaethje blocks it.
Gaethje takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Doms throws a head kick that misses
and Gaethje counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Doms throws a wild body kick that Gaethje sees coming a mile off.
Gaethje throws a head kick that misses
and Doms counters with a body kick.
Gaethje moves out of range of the leg kick from Doms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje throws a low kick but Doms avoids it.
Gaethje scores with a punch to the head.
Doms throws a head kick that misses.
Doms misses with a leg kick.
Good leg kick by Gaethje.
Gaethje tried to score with a low kick but Doms checks it.

Gaethje clinches.
Gaethje tries a body shot but Doms blocks it.
Gaethje misses with some punches.
Gaethje'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 bit of stalling here from Gaethje.
Doms working hard to break the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gaethje.
Gaethje taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Doms wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gaethje working aggressively here.
Gaethje lands a right hand that snaps the head of Doms backwards.
A right hand to the body from Gaethje.
Gaethje pushes Doms back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gaethje pushes Doms back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Doms manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Gaethje.
Gaethje checks a leg kick.
Gaethje turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Gaethje throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Gaethje tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Doms was well out of range. Poor timing from Gaethje.
Gaethje chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Gaethje tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Doms paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gaethje scores with a punch to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Gaethje dominated that round.
That's time! Doms's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Doms misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gaethje misses the body punch
and Doms counters with an inside leg kick.
Gaethje throws a leg kick but Doms moved away.
Gaethje fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Doms lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gaethje pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Doms back to the cage. Gaethje follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Gaethje drives through and clinches with Doms against the cage.
Gaethje misses with a hook to the ribs.
Doms blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gaethje digs a right hand underneath Doms's ribcage. Doms let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Doms blocking some punches.
Gaethje swings wildly with an uppercut but Doms uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Doms blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaethje avoiding damage.
Gaethje has Doms pushed against the cage.
Gaethje receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Gaethje misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gaethje digs a right hand underneath Doms's ribcage. Doms let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Doms is trying to force a seperation but Gaethje has the dominant position.

Doms breaks the clinch.
Doms throws the kick towards the body but Gaethje avoids it.
Gaethje keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Gaethje sizes up Doms with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Gaethje blocks a low kick nicely.
Gaethje misses with a head kick.
Doms throws a low kick but Gaethje moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Doms takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Doms.
Doms showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gaethje.
Gaethje tries a head kick but it misses.
Doms connects with a leg kick.
Gaethje has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Doms.
Doms tries a head kick but it misses.
Gaethje's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Gaethje misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Doms.
Gaethje has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gaethje wants to land a leg kick but Doms is out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A swing and a miss from Gaethje.
Gaethje throws a right and a left that both miss.
A head kick misses from Doms.
Gaethje throws a sloppy head kick and Doms moves out of range easily.
Gaethje swings for the body but Doms moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Doms looks to land a body kick but Gaethje moved away.
Doms misses with a kick to the body.
A big right from Gaethje misses.
Doms throws a head kick that misses.
Gaethje lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Doms at a distance.
Gaethje looks to land a right hand but Doms moved out of range.
Gaethje tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Doms thuds his shin into the meat of Gaethje's side.
Gaethje checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gaethje lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gaethje paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Doms fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Justin Gaethje seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gaethje missing with a left hand there. Doms was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Doms thinks about countering with a head kick.
Doms throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Gaethje lands a nice shot that snaps Doms's head back.
Gaethje takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Doms keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gaethje checks a leg kick nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gaethje gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Justin Gaethje seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Doms throws a leg kick that is checked
and Gaethje counters with a straight right hand.
Gaethje walks forward, straight into a front kick from Doms.
Gaethje throws a body shot but no joy.
Gaethje buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Doms does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Doms drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Gaethje is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Doms.
Doms jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Gaethje misses with a body punch
and Doms counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Gaethje slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A slapping body kick lands there for Doms.
Doms throws a push kick but Gaethje slaps the foot to one side.
Gaethje checks a low kick from Doms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Gaethje showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Gaethje lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Doms throws out a leg kick but Gaethje moves out of range and Doms only half commits.
Gaethje misses with a head kick.
Gaethje has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Doms.
Gaethje tried to score with a low kick but Doms checks it.
Doms misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Doms tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gaethje ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Gaethje takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Gaethje blocks a low kick nicely.
Gaethje motions for Doms to come forward. Gaethje throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Doms throws a sloppy head kick and Gaethje moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaethje pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gaethje lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A head kick misses from Doms.
Doms throws a head kick but Gaethje moves out of range.
A head kick from Doms lands but Gaethje takes it in his stride.
Gaethje has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Doms connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gaethje connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Gaethje lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Doms tries to land a front kick but Gaethje steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Gaethje misses with the combination.
Doms thows a leg kick but Gaethje checks it
and Gaethje counters with a head kick.
Gaethje lands with a right hand.
Gaethje throws a leg kick but Doms checks it.
Gaethje misses with a wild body shot.
Doms swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Doms looks for the body kick but Gaethje saw that one coming.
Gaethje is looking to clinch but Doms is avoiding it.
Good leg kick by Doms.
Gaethje takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Doms throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Doms wants to slow Gaethje down by chopping away at his legs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Doms tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gaethje unleashes a big counter combination but Doms bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Gaethje lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Doms has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Doms and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A head kick misses from Doms.
A punch lands to the side of Doms 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gaethje fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Doms checks it well.
Gaethje checks a leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Doms. That's going to slow Gaethje down.
Doms throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Gaethje tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Doms was well out of range. Poor timing from Gaethje.
Gaethje dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A head kick misses from Gaethje.
Doms throws a body kick that misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gaethje.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje misses with a double jab.
Doms takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Gaethje throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gaethje throws an overhand right that lands on Doms's shoulder, as Doms tries to avoid the shot.
Doms goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Doms is looking to land body kicks.
Gaethje misses with a hook to the body
and Doms counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Gaethje is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Gaethje displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Doms throws out the jab.
Doms misses with a head kick.
Good leg kick by Doms.
Gaethje fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Doms on the side of the head.

Gaethje takes the fight into the clinch.

Doms breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Frankie Doms has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Doms scores with a spinning back kick!
Doms attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Gaethje ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gaethje lands with a shot to the body.
Gaethje misses with an uppercut.
Doms throws a front kick aimed at Gaethje's knee but Gaethje avoids it well.
Doms looks for the body kick but Gaethje saw that one coming.
Doms throws a low kick but Gaethje moves out of range easily.
Good work by Gaethje as he checks the leg kick.
Gaethje lands with a good body shot.
Gaethje throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Doms stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gaethje is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Doms rather than just go for the knockout.
An inside leg kick lands from Doms.
Gaethje throws a series of strikes that have Doms backpedaling.
Doms tries a low kick but Gaethje avoids it.
Doms fakes the leg kick and cracks Gaethje in the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Justin Gaethje.
Well Gaethje 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Gaethje!
Justin Gaethje seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.