PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Carl Brooks (ranked 967 p4p, 1042 weight class) and Justin Gaethje (ranked 126 p4p, 135 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Brooks
vs
Gaethje

173 cm
23
163
13 - 6 - 0

175 cm
24
165
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Altitude Clothing
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Carl Brooks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Justin Gaethje!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick from Brooks is predictable there
and Gaethje counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Brooks throws a hook but Gaethje blocks it.
Brooks blocks a head kick by Gaethje.
Brooks tries to counter with a takedown but Gaethje is quick to defend against it.
Brooks avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Brooks seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Gaethje throws a hook to the side of Brooks's head but Brooks sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gaethje slips a straight right by Brooks.
A head kick from Gaethje lands but Brooks takes it in his stride.

Brooks gets a takedown into half guard.

Brooks is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brooks is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Brooks is thwarting Gaethje's attempts to control the position.
Gaethje felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brooks is pressing down on Gaethje's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gaethje is holding on for now.
Brooks controlling the pace.
Gaethje won't allow Brooks to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Brooks seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gaethje does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Brooks is working for a submission of some sort.
Gaethje moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Brooks trying to control the position from guard on top but Gaethje is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Brooks is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Gaethje is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gaethje wants to get back to his feet but Brooks is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Brooks shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Gaethje steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Brooks.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Brooks.
It seemed like Gaethje was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Carl Brooks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gaethje looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Brooks takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Brooks shoots in and drives through. Gaethje sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Brooks circles away quickly and effectively.
Brooks throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Brooks scores with a shot to the body.
Brooks thuds his right hand into Gaethje's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Brooks lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
We've been told by Brooks's head coaches at Crapollas Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Brooks throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
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!
Gaethje fails to land with a series of punches.
Brooks connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gaethje tries to clinch but Brooks is having none of it.
Brooks appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Brooks missing with a left hand there. Gaethje was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carl Brooks dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Brooks darts in and clinches Gaethje up against the cage.
Gaethje misses with a punch on the inside.
Brooks blocking some punches.
Brooks wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gaethje tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gaethje keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Brooks's efforts to push away.
Brooks tries to break the clinch but Gaethje is controlling the position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gaethje.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Brooks pulls Gaethje into guard.
Brooks not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Brooks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gaethje is one step ahead there.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brooks 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.
Gaethje wants to control from the top but Brooks keeps moving.
Brooks trying to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gaethje showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Brooks tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gaethje sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Brooks somewhat.
Brooks chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gaethje can pounce on him.
Gaethje misses the jab.
Justin Gaethje is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gaethje scores with a jab to the jaw.
Good exchange - Gaethje coming out on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brooks looks to throw the jab but Gaethje is out of range.
Brooks tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Brooks shoots for a takedown but Gaethje saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nice straight punches there by Brooks. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Brooks.
Brooks throws a hook to the side of Gaethje's head but Gaethje sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Brooks misses with a looping right.
Gaethje throws a nice looking combination but Brooks bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Brooks jabs Gaethje right on the nose. Gaethje blinks but takes it well.
Gaethje with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Brooks to score with a decent uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brooks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gaethje.
Brooks misses the shot to the body.
Gaethje lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Gaethje is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gaethje takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gaethje scores with a nice head shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gaethje cracks Brooks with a right hand to the side of the head.
Brooks throws an overhand right that lands on Gaethje's shoulder, as Gaethje tries to avoid the shot.
Gaethje looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Justin Gaethje will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Brooks swings away with a body shot that misses

and Gaethje counters with a head kick that drops Brooks to the mat! Brooks scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!
Gaethje throws a head kick but Brooks moves out of range.
Brooks throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Brooks scores with a decent looking hook.
Gaethje shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Brooks tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gaethje sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Brooks somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaethje ducks right into an uppercut from Brooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brooks goes for a double leg but Gaethje avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gaethje continues to drive forward.
Justin Gaethje seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gaethje uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Brooks.
Brooks is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gaethje.
Brooks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gaethje circles away quickly and effectively.
Gaethje looks to throw the jab but Brooks is out of range.
Brooks bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Brooks scores with a kick to the midsection.
Gaethje missing with a left hand there. Brooks was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gaethje lands a head kick. Brooks smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Brooks.
Gaethje throws a jab when Brooks was well out of range.
Brooks has his takedown stuffed
and Gaethje counters with a thumping low kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carl Brooks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Brooks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gaethje displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Brooks throws out the jab.
Gaethje doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Gaethje dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Brooks throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gaethje on the side of the head.
Brooks blocks a head kick by Gaethje.
Brooks attempts a counter takedown but Gaethje avoids it well and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Brooks.
Brooks tries to clinch but Gaethje is having none of it.
Gaethje ducks under a wild hook from Brooks.
Brooks tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gaethje sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Brooks somewhat.
Gaethje looks to land a combination but Brooks avoids it well.
Brooks misses with a double jab.

Gaethje closes the distance and clinches.
A short body shot lands from Gaethje as the two fighters clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gaethje lands a left hand that snaps the head of Brooks backwards.
Gaethje can't find room to land a body shot as Brooks controls the action.
Gaethje misses with a punch to the body.
Gaethje keeps control of Brooks as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gaethje lands an uppercut.
Brooks tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gaethje just stands there and leans against the cage.
Brooks wants to get back to striking at distance but Gaethje won't allow it.
Gaethje working aggressively here.
Gaethje swings wildly with an uppercut but Brooks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Brooks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Brooks prevents a body shot from Gaethje.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Gaethje really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gaethje keeps the fight on the outside.
Brooks walks into a stiff left hand from Gaethje.
Gaethje tries to score with a low kick but Brooks moves his leg out of the way.
Brooks pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The fighters circle momentarily. Brooks darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Brooks throws out a loose jab but Gaethje uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gaethje tries a quick counter leg kick but Brooks is wise to it.
Brooks on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brooks walks into a left hand.
Nice defenses there by Brooks.
Gaethje circles away from the clinch attempt.
A little jabbing left from Gaethje on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaethje takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A punch lands to the side of Gaethje 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gaethje lands a jab to the head.
Brooks avoids a punch combination nicely.
Brooks feinted with a counter takedown.
Brooks tries to clinch but Gaethje is having none of it.
Brooks looks to land a combination. Gaethje sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A jab from Brooks misses.
Gaethje is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Brooks tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gaethje sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Brooks somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje misses the shot to the body.
Gaethje pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Brooks drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gaethje sprawls and moves away.
Brooks throws a lazy right hand but Gaethje sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gaethje lands with a hook. Brooks tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brooks jabs at Gaethje's body.
Brooks tries to clinch there but Gaethje circles away.
Gaethje looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Brooks looking to score a takedown here. Gaethje is defending well but Brooks drives through and ends up in Gaethje's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gaethje is on top in guard.

Brooks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Brooks looking to control.

Brooks looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gaethje must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gaethje controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Brooks trying to control the position here.

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.

Brooks looking for a guillotine here but Gaethje defends easily.
Gaethje tries to free his leg and advance position but Brooks is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Justin Gaethje will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Brooks throws a head kick but Gaethje moves out of range.
Gaethje throws a hook but Brooks avoids it easily.
Gaethje misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Brooks throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Brooks lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Gaethje moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gaethje lands with an uppercut that bounces Brooks off the cage and back into range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brooks shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gaethje defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gaethje gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gaethje looking for a sweep. Not yet Gaethje, not yet.
Brooks trying to control but Gaethje is working from the bottom.
Brooks throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Brooks trying to control but Gaethje is working from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Brooks's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje keeping moving, preventing Brooks from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Brooks tries to free his leg and advance position but Gaethje is retaining full guard.
Brooks postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Brooks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Brooks gets the takedown into side control.
Brooks working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brooks trying to control the position but Gaethje is working away.

Brooks is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gaethje is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Brooks throws a strike aimed at the side of Gaethje's head but Gaethje avoids it well.
Carl Brooks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brooks trying to control the position but Gaethje is working away.
Brooks creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Gaethje sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Gaethje sneaks back into half guard.

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.
Gaethje is not content to let Brooks control the position.

Brooks is working for a kimura but Gaethje is defending it quite comfortably.

Brooks is working for a kimura but Gaethje is defending it quite comfortably.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gaethje blocking the ground and pound attempt from Brooks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carl Brooks showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gaethje has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 47:48
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 47:48
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Gaethje!
A very excited looking Justin Gaethje made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.