PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thierry Bailly (ranked 24438 p4p, 18587 weight class) and Emmanuel Dongala (ranked 499 p4p, 468 weight class). Bailly comes to the cage accompanied by MMA Entrance Music / Dustin Poirier. Thierry Bailly has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bailly
vs
Dongala

175 cm
23
145
3 - 6 - 0

176 cm
18
152
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thierry Bailly!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Emmanuel Dongala!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dongala shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Bailly has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Dongala is on him like a limpet, forcing Bailly back against the cage.
Dongala has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bailly is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Bailly pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dongala changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bailly tries to avoid it but Dongala manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bailly to the ground. Bailly escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Dongala drives through with a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bailly is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dongala is controlling him.
Bailly knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dongala on the ground.
Dongala wants to control from the top but Bailly keeps moving.
Dongala might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bailly haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Bailly is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Hotrod Express MMA Training that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dongala is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Bailly is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Bailly has escaped and now he's on top!

Dongala has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bailly can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dongala is trying to control the position but Bailly postures up.
Bailly is looking to stand up but Dongala won't let him.
Bailly has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Dongala has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bailly can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Bailly stands up from Dongala's guard - Bailly perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dongala misses the shot to the body.

Bailly rushes Dongala and presses him up against the cage.

Dongala has Bailly pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Dongala pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Bailly tumbling to the mat - Dongala dives into Bailly's guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bailly is looking to stand back up but Dongala counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Bailly.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bailly wants to get back to his feet.

Dongala is working for a kimura but Bailly is defending it quite comfortably.
Dongala looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Bailly is not content to let Dongala control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dongala is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Bailly manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Dongala keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Bailly trying to land knees to the body.
Bailly wants to stall.

Bailly is fighting off a takedown attempt but Dongala is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Bailly to the mat. Bailly regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Bailly wants to get back to his feet but Dongala is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Dongala trying to control the position from guard on top but Bailly is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bailly is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Dongala presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Bailly doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dongala wants a takedown but no success here.
Thierry Bailly has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emmanuel Dongala.
Dongala is working for takedown but Bailly is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bailly tries to stall but Dongala uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Bailly breaks the clinch.
Dongala throws an overhand right that lands on Bailly's shoulder, as Bailly tries to avoid the shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Bailly fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dongala, pushing him back against the cage.
Bailly is leaning against Dongala and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A knee to the head by Bailly.
Dongala is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bailly pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Bailly with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bailly prevents a takedown attempt there.
Knees in the clinch landing for Bailly.

Bailly pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thierry Bailly dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bailly throws a head kick but Dongala moves out of range.
Dongala doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bailly counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Dongala looks for a takedown but Bailly sprawls well.

Bailly clinches.
Dongala swings wildly with an uppercut but Bailly uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bailly tries a body shot but Dongala blocks it.
Bailly controlling the action here for a moment.
Dongala wants a takedown but no success here.
Thierry Bailly has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emmanuel Dongala.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bailly breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Bailly has taken the fight to the clinch.

Bailly breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dongala shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bailly as he avoids it easily.
Bailly misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bailly is looking to clinch.
Bailly looks to land a combination. Dongala sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Dongala tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bailly sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dongala somewhat.
Bailly tries to counter with a takedown but Dongala is quick to defend against it.
Dongala looks for a takedown but Bailly sprawls well.
Dongala shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bailly but Bailly pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bailly fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thierry Bailly is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Bailly closes the distance and clinches.
Dongala is trying to drag Bailly to the mat but Bailly just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Bailly breaks from the clinch.
Dongala drops his hands momentarily and Bailly takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Thierry Bailly is winning the standup battle so far.
No luck for Dongala with that takedown attempt.
As Dongala tries to get set, Bailly tries to push him back and clinch up but Dongala manages to avoid the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dongala shoots for a double leg takedown but Bailly sprawls well. He's pushed Dongala's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bailly wants to clinch up but Dongala keeps it at a distance.
Bailly lands with a nice combination. Dongala backs away looking to recover.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A punch combination from Bailly misses.
A head kick from Bailly lands but Dongala takes it in his stride.
Bailly is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dongala can do to turn this around?
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bailly.
Dongala tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Bailly defends well and Dongala ends up having to push Bailly into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Bailly clinches up with Dongala and pushes him back against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bailly.

Bailly breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bailly doesn't manage to clinch there - Dongala circles away.
And Dongala tries to counter it with a takedown but Bailly pushes his down on his head and steps out.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bailly looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bailly lands a nice looking body kick.
Bailly scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Dongala looks to score with a jab to the body but Bailly is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dongala dives in for a single leg takedown but Bailly sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Dongala shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bailly manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Bailly has his feet on Dongala's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Bailly misses with a double jab.
Bailly tries to clinch but Dongala is having none of it.
Dongala with a poor takedown
and Bailly counters with a one-two to the body.
Bailly defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dongala.
Dongala is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bailly lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dongala's sensitive parts.

Bailly rushes Dongala and presses him up against the cage.
Bailly lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The referee is keeping an eye on Bailly - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Bailly manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dongala shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bailly as he avoids it easily.
Bailly wants to clinch.

Bailly fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dongala, pushing him back against the cage.

Bailly manages to break the clinch.
Bailly throws a nice head kick!
Bailly lands with a nice combination. Dongala backs away looking to recover.
Dongala shoots in but no luck this time.
Bailly throws a head kick but Dongala moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Bailly. No joy for Dongala on that attempt.
Bailly throwing a counter right hand but Dongala manages to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A thudding body kick lands there by Bailly!

Bailly takes the fight into the clinch.
Dongala goes for a takedown attempt but Bailly pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thierry Bailly dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bailly is looking to clinch.
Dongala throws a shot from downtown. Bailly moves away and avoids it.

Bailly rushes Dongala and presses him up against the cage.
Dongala tries to stall but Bailly uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Dongala goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bailly prevents it.
Dongala drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bailly pulls his leg out and moves away.

Bailly takes the fight into the clinch.
Dongala has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bailly avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Thierry Bailly has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emmanuel Dongala.
Bailly stalling in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bailly's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dongala closes the distance and clinches up with Bailly, looking for a takedown. Dongala pushes Bailly against the cage but Bailly circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bailly feinted with a counter takedown.

Bailly moves into the clinch.

Bailly breaks the clinch.
Dongala swats away the attempt to clinch by Bailly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bailly is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bailly leaves Dongala with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Bailly moves into range and clinches up with Dongala.
Dongala drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bailly pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dongala swings for the body but Bailly moves out of range.
Bailly wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Bailly closes the distance and clinches.

Bailly's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dongala or perhaps it was just good defense by Bailly, which made it look bad.
Dongala takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dongala takes a swing at Bailly's ribcage but misses.
Thierry Bailly seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dongala shoots in looking for a takedown. Bailly tries to sprawl out of it but Dongala keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bailly manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Bailly takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bailly just leaning against Dongala, taking a breather.

Bailly pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Bailly forces Dongala back against the cage and clinches.
Bailly lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bailly prevents a takedown attempt there.
Still in the clinch, Bailly scores with a nice short uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dongala tries for a takedown. No joy.

Bailly breaks from the clinch.
Bailly looks to land a combination. Dongala sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Dongala on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Bailly tries to clinch there but Dongala circles away.

Bailly moves into the clinch successfully.
Bailly lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dongala.

Bailly breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dongala misses with a takedown attempt - Bailly sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bailly throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thierry Bailly is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Bailly darts in and clinches Dongala up against the cage.
Bailly pushes Dongala back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Bailly lands with a light punch inside.
Bailly is pushing Dongala up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Thierry Bailly has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Bailly breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Emmanuel Dongala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dongala misses with a takedown attempt - Bailly sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bailly tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dongala paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Bailly drives through and clinches with Dongala against the cage.
Bailly pushes Dongala back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Bailly escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bailly tries to close the distance and clinch but Dongala swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dongala closes the distance and clinches up with Bailly, looking for a takedown. Dongala pushes Bailly against the cage but Bailly circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bailly drives through and clinches with Dongala against the cage.
Bailly is struggling to control the position.
Bailly cracks Dongala with a nice body shot.
Dongala blocks a body shot from Bailly.
Bailly is leaning against Dongala and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Bailly pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dongala shoots in but no luck this time.

Bailly clinches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bailly.
Bailly throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Dongala misses with a punch on the inside.
Dongala can't get the takedown.
Bailly makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bailly blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Knees in the clinch landing for Bailly.
Thierry Bailly is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Bailly escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thierry Bailly showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bailly has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:26
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thierry Bailly!
An intense looking Thierry Bailly took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'A big thanks to the GAMMA: Development League for having the chance fighting here tonight. Also a big thanks on the great fans and public supporting me, without you all I could not win. Thanks again and i'll be back, you'r the best.'.