PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bam Bam Gigolo (ranked 1234 p4p, 1717 weight class) and Akil Paschal (ranked 38 p4p, 59 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gigolo
vs
Paschal

202 cm
27
275
8 - 3 - 0

187 cm
27
300
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bam Bam Gigolo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Akil Paschal!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paschal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gigolo appears to be looking for a big counter.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Paschal.

Paschal shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Paschal showed some decent athleticism there.
Gigolo tries to roll over but Paschal keeps him under control.
Paschal is keen to just control but Gigolo is a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gigolo is looking to control Paschal's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gigolo avoid being mounted?

Paschal is looking for a kimura here.
Paschal prevents Gigolo from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paschal trying to mount his opponent but Gigolo defends it.
Gigolo tries to roll over but Paschal keeps him under control.
Paschal is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Paschal pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gigolo is keeping the position for now.
Gigolo trying to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paschal trying to control the position from guard on top but Gigolo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Gigolo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Paschal is aware though and is defending well.
Gigolo keeping moving, preventing Paschal from controlling successfully.
Paschal is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Paschal advances to half guard.
Paschal not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gigolo is looking to improve his position.
Gigolo trying to control here.
Gigolo pushes Paschal off looking to stand but Paschal dives back in and keeps control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paschal seems to be looking for submissions.
Paschal is trying to control the action in half guard but Gigolo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Paschal looks for a takedown but Gigolo sprawls well.
Bam Bam Gigolo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akil Paschal.
Gigolo throws a head kick that misses.
Paschal closes the distance and clinches up with Gigolo, looking for a takedown. Paschal pushes Gigolo against the cage but Gigolo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gigolo throws a sloppy head kick and Paschal moves out of range easily.
Gigolo misses with a hook. Paschal ducked under it nicely.
Akil Paschal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Paschal checks a leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Paschal.
Paschal is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gigolo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Paschal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Paschal shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gigolo is trying to defend but Paschal finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Paschal is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Gigolo has given up his back here.
Gigolo looking very determined here, making life difficult for Paschal.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gigolo tries to escape the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Paschal is looking for the choke from the back position but Gigolo is controlling his hands well.

Paschal is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Paschal has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Gigolo has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Akil Paschal will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Paschal shoots in looking for a takedown but Gigolo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Paschal's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Paschal tries to sprawl but Gigolo drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Paschal makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Paschal.
Gigolo trying to control the position from guard on top but Paschal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paschal keeping full guard, as Gigolo tries to pass.
Gigolo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Paschal keeping moving, preventing Gigolo from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gigolo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Paschal's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paschal trying to control the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gigolo's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Paschal manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gigolo manages to get himself to full guard.

Paschal is looking to advance position but Gigolo has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Gigolo lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Paschal is trying desperately to improve position.
Paschal gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gigolo wants to stand up but Paschal has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Gigolo is looking to take a break and control but Paschal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gigolo will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Paschal is looking to improve his position.
Paschal is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gigolo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gigolo's back!

Paschal looking for the choke but no joy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gigolo is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gigolo looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Gigolo covering up well and avoiding damage.
Paschal gets his hands free as Gigolo looks to control.
Gigolo is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Paschal tightening his grip on Gigolo, looking for the choke.
Gigolo can't escape the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Gigolo's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's four 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.
Gigolo biding his time here by controlling the hands, looking to escape.
Will Paschal go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Paschal is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Gigolo trying to control the hands but Paschal won't let him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Akil Paschal will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gigolo manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Paschal on his heels. He'll look to pass Paschal's guard now, I'm sure.
Paschal wants to sweep but no luck.

Paschal has his foot on Gigolo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gigolo works his way back into a safe position though.
Gigolo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Paschal's head.
Paschal keeping full guard, as Gigolo tries to pass.
Akil Paschal has got the better of the ground game so far.

Paschal throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Paschal is looking for a triangle but Gigolo pushes his legs off easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gigolo 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paschal trying to keep a closed guard but Gigolo is proving a slippery customer.

Gigolo drops back looking for a leg! Paschal is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Paschal manages to kick Gigolo off! Gigolo jumps back into Paschal's guard.
Gigolo trying to control the position from guard on top but Paschal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Paschal is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gigolo defends well.
Gigolo sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Paschal's guard.
Paschal trying to hold on to Gigolo's head to control him but Gigolo postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Paschal tries to get to full guard but Gigolo has control of the leg.
It looks like Gigolo is going to stand back up.
Paschal wants to get back to full guard.
Well, if Gigolo is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Paschal has a hand on Gigolo's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Gigolo takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Gigolo wants to get back to his feet but Paschal is holding on tight.
Gigolo scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Paschal?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gigolo controlling from mount.
Paschal wants to control but Gigolo is having none of it.
The referee warns Paschal that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Paschal is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gigolo trying to control but Paschal is having none of it.
Paschal wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Paschal is trying to remain composed but Gigolo is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gigolo controlling well, preventing Paschal from escaping the position.
Gigolo is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Gigolo is working the ground and pound. Can Paschal escape?
Paschal tries to break free.
Gigolo biding his time, looking for the opening.
Gigolo controlling well, preventing Paschal from escaping the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Paschal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Bam Bam Gigolo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Akil Paschal is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Paschal can't escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bam Bam Gigolo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Paschal 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!