PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between TJ Washington (ranked 4246 p4p, 4278 weight class) and Benei Gillespie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). TJ Washington has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Washington
vs
Gillespie

222 cm
24
179
1 - 0 - 0

160 cm
23
170
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, TJ Washington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Benei Gillespie!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, George Francis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Washington shoots in for a takedown but Gillespie shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Washington shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Washington was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Gillespie managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Washington.

Washington is trying to get an arm triangle but Gillespie is defending well.
Washington throws an elbow but Gillespie slips to the side and avoids it well.
Gillespie is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gillespie should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Gillespie prevents Washington from improving position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gillespie wants to get back to his feet.
Gillespie is looking for a sweep.
Gillespie sneaks back into half guard.
Washington tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gillespie knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gillespie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Washington.

That's two 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.
Gillespie is refusing to be controlled, as Washington sits in half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Gillespie looking for submissions off his back.
Gillespie won't allow Washington to pass to mount.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Washington cracks Gillespie with a right hand to the side of the head.
Washington shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gillespie defends it nicely.
Gillespie misses with a kick to the body.
Washington keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gillespie throws a head kick but Washington moves out of range.
Washington misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gillespie throws a counter combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for TJ Washington. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gillespie shoots for a takedown but Washington saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Washington dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Washington throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Washington checks a leg kick.
Washington is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Gillespie.
Washington shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gillespie pinned against the cage. Gillespie gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gillespie misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gillespie stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gillespie wants it to stay on the feet.
Gillespie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gillespie displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Washington.
Gillespie moves out of range of the body kick.
Gillespie blocks the body kick.

Washington gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Gillespie escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gillespie dives in and grabs Washington's left leg, looking for a takedown. Washington pushes down on Gillespie's head and hops out.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Washington shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gillespie sprawls well. Gillespie wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Washington gets slowly back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Washington looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Washington misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Gillespie has eaten all the pies!

Washington moves into the clinch.
Gillespie is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gillespie is working Washington over against the cage.
Washington is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for TJ Washington. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Washington prevents the takedown attempt.
Gillespie gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Washington.
Gillespie wants a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gillespie's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Washington keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Washington shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gillespie sprawls well. Gillespie wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Washington gets slowly back to his feet.
Washington avoids the body shot from Gillespie.
Gillespie is trying hard to land a takedown here. Washington sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Benei Gillespie seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Washington clinches.
Gillespie tries a body shot but Washington blocks it.
Washington is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gillespie drops down looking for an ankle pick but Washington pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Washington fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gillespie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Washington pinned against the cage. Washington gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Washington half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Washington shoots in and drives through. Gillespie sprawls well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Washington fails to land with a series of punches.

Washington rushes Gillespie and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Washington wants a takedown.

Gillespie's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gillespie swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Gillespie feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gillespie engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Washington will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Washington has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gillespie can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gillespie wants to control from the top but Washington keeps moving.
Washington pulls Gillespie in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Washington controls Gillespie momentarily but Gillespie frees himself.
Gillespie engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Gillespie tries to free his leg and advance position but Washington is retaining full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gillespie misses the jab.
Gillespie tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Washington manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Benei Gillespie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Washington's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Washington moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Washington tries to clinch up but Gillespie circles away and keeps his distance.
Washington shoots in but no luck this time.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gillespie.
Gillespie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Washington pinned against the cage. Washington gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Washington shoots in for a takedown but Gillespie shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Washington defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gillespie.
TJ Washington has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benei Gillespie.

Gillespie closes the distance and clinches.
Gillespie looking for a takedown.
Gillespie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington is working for takedown but Gillespie is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gillespie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gillespie has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Washington avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Gillespie pulls guard successfully.

Washington decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Washington fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gillespie avoids it really well and circles away.
Washington fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gillespie tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Washington paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Washington throws a half hearted mid kick.
Gillespie swats away the attempt to clinch by Washington.

Washington gets caught napping as Gillespie dives in and scores a takedown. Washington manages to retain guard.
Gillespie not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gillespie throws a strike but Washington rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Gillespie wants to stand up but Washington is controlling him.

Gillespie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gillespie is trying to keep Washington in close.
Washington really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Washington trying to control but Gillespie is working from the bottom.

Gillespie is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Washington rolls with it to try and escape but Gillespie cranks on the arm and Washington is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Benei Gillespie!