PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Henry Cejudo (ranked 3088 p4p, 24410 weight class) and Khabib Gaethje (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cejudo kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is The Show Goes On. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Cejudo
vs
Gaethje

163 cm
24
130
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
27
145
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Henry Cejudo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Khabib Gaethje!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cejudo misses with a takedown attempt
and Gaethje counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A combination from Gaethje does no damage.
A quick step to the side and Cejudo tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gaethje throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A head kick misses from Gaethje.
Gaethje lands a head kick!
Gaethje throws a head kick but Cejudo moves out of range.
Gaethje misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gaethje throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cejudo.
Gaethje lands with a kick to the temple. Cejudo shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head kick from Gaethje lands but Cejudo takes it in his stride.
Gaethje scores with a nice head shot.
Gaethje lands with a cross.

Cejudo is rocked!
Gaethje tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cejudo looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cejudo blocks a head kick by Gaethje.
Gaethje throws a head kick that misses.
Khabib Gaethje is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gaethje lands with a kick to the temple. Cejudo shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Cejudo takes a kick to the side of the head.
Oh Cejudo is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gaethje throws a head kick that misses.
Cejudo takes one to the chin there.

Cejudo closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Gaethje to the mat! Gaethje manages to get full guard.
Gaethje is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Cejudo sitting in guard here, content to control.
Cejudo seems to have got his legs back now.
Cejudo's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Cejudo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gaethje is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Gaethje is trying to control the position but Cejudo postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sloppy strikes from Gaethje. Those never looked like landing.
Cejudo lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Gaethje.

Cejudo closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Gaethje's guard.
Cejudo slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Cejudo seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Gaethje for as long as he can get away with.
Cejudo stands and throws Gaethje's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Gaethje is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Cejudo has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Cejudo just content to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cejudo has hold of Gaethje's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Gaethje tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Cejudo cranks the arm and Gaethje screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Gaethje, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Henry Cejudo!
A determined Henry Cejudo didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!