PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joe Gatsby (ranked 3522 p4p, 4258 weight class) and Paul Hunt (ranked 423 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gatsby
vs
Hunt

178 cm
44
167
25 - 11 - 0

188 cm
46
171
27 - 21 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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 25 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joe Gatsby!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Paul Hunt!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Hugh Johnson and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gatsby changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hunt tries to avoid it but Gatsby manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hunt to the ground. Hunt escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Gatsby shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Gatsby wants to control but Hunt is keeping him busy.
Gatsby slows the pace down in half guard.
Hunt is refusing to be controlled, as Gatsby sits in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunt wants to get back to his feet.

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

Gatsby looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt is refusing to be controlled, as Gatsby sits in half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Hunt wants to control but Gatsby is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gatsby is trying to control. Hunt wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Paul Hunt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hunt is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gatsby sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gatsby throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hunt's waist but Hunt gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gatsby off to one side.

Hunt is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gatsby's half guard.
Hunt is thwarting Gatsby's attempts to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hunt controlling the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gatsby actively working from the bottom here.
Gatsby is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Reach Around, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Hunt has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Hunt is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Gatsby really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby is working hard here to advance position.
Gatsby is just holding on here. Hunt manages to take his back.
Gatsby rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Hunt controlling the action here.
It looks like Hunt is going to stand back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Hunt dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hunt throws a body shot but no joy.
Gatsby fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hunt.
Hunt has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gatsby is looking to regain half guard here but Hunt keeps moving and retains side control.
Gatsby is trying to work for a sweep but Hunt has mounted him!
Gatsby looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Gatsby tries to escape but Hunt has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Hunt's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt not allowing Gatsby to control his hands.
Paul Hunt has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gatsby is really stuck here.
Hunt tries to get the hooks in deep but Gatsby pushed the leg off.
Gatsby just trying to survive but Hunt is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Gatsby tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Gatsby is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hunt manages to capitalize on a mistake by Gatsby to take his back!
Hunt really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Gatsby.
Gatsby rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Gatsby is trying to maintain the position but Hunt is very close to passing his half guard.
Gatsby wants to get back to full guard but Hunt has passed into side control.
Gatsby is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Gatsby's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gatsby tries to control but Hunt manages to take his back.
Gatsby is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Hunt.
Gatsby wants to escape the position.
Gatsby just trying to survive but Hunt is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Gatsby is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Hunt.
I really don't envy Gatsby right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt keeps control of the position easily here as Gatsby tries to buck him off.
Gatsby tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Gatsby is trying to escape the mount.
Hunt looking to control and managing it successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gatsby wants to hold on but Hunt pushes him away.
Hunt looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Hunt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Hunt throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gatsby's waist but Gatsby gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hunt off to one side.
Gatsby half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Gatsby avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gatsby drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hunt sprawls and moves away.

Gatsby closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Hunt is looking for a sweep. Gatsby is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Hunt is defending against the submission attempts here by Gatsby.
Gatsby trying to control from half guard but Hunt is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunt makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hunt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gatsby postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hunt is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gatsby, into his guard.

Gatsby has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hunt can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gatsby trying to control the position.
Gatsby looking for a sweep. Not yet Gatsby, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gatsby has control of Hunt's left arm, preventing Hunt from doing any damage.

Gatsby is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hunt is aware though and is defending well.
Gatsby wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Hunt is now in half guard.
Hunt slows the pace down in half guard.
Gatsby gets back to full guard.
Gatsby lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Joe Gatsby has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt is looking to stand up but Gatsby isn't so interested in that idea.
Gatsby trying to control but Hunt is working from the bottom.
Gatsby trying to move into half guard but instead Hunt has managed to sweep!

Gatsby is looking to sweep but instead, Hunt has passed into half guard.

Gatsby looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hunt passes to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby is looking to improve his position but Hunt isn't that keen on the idea.
Gatsby tries to hold on but Hunt pushes him away.

Hunt stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hunt drives through with a takedown into guard.

Hunt gets to his feet - Gatsby follows without any prompting.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Hunt comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hunt 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Hunt!
During a confident post fight interview, Paul Hunt thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.