PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bam Bam Gigolo (ranked 1559 p4p, 1843 weight class) and Akil Paschal (ranked 56 p4p, 68 weight class). Bam Bam Gigolo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gigolo
vs
Paschal

202 cm
27
275
8 - 3 - 1

187 cm
27
300
7 - 5 - 1

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 - 1, 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 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Akil Paschal!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Robert Twigg and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Paschal with that takedown attempt.
Paschal changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gigolo tries to avoid it but Paschal manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gigolo to the ground. Gigolo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gigolo feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Paschal looks for a takedown but Gigolo sprawls well.
Gigolo appears to be looking for a big counter.
Bam Bam Gigolo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akil Paschal.

Gigolo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Paschal tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gigolo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Paschal keeps working.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Paschal manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Paschal 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.
Paschal is trying to control. Gigolo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paschal not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Paschal trying to control the action but Gigolo is working from the bottom.

Gigolo looking for submissions off his back.
Paschal wants to take a breather but Gigolo is having none of it.
I've been told that Paschal has been drilling his wrestling of late, which has already helped him take this fight to the mat. Let's see how much of an impact it has on the outcome of the ground game.
Paschal tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gigolo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gigolo tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

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.
Gigolo gets back to full guard.
Gigolo seems keen to control Paschal's posture.
Paschal pushes down on Gigolo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gigolo is pressing down on Paschal's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Paschal pushing down on Gigolo's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Paschal thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gigolo is staying active underneath Paschal, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Paschal is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gigolo doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Paschal.
Paschal not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gigolo is trying to control but can't.
Paschal keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Paschal is looking to advance position but Gigolo won't allow it.

Gigolo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Paschal prevents Gigolo from standing back up.
Gigolo is not content to let Paschal control the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Paschal is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gigolo defends it well.

That's four 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.
Gigolo wants to control but Paschal is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Paschal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A counter left hand to the body from Gigolo misses its target.
Paschal shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gigolo pinned against the ropes. Gigolo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Gigolo gets the takedown into side control.
Paschal is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paschal sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bam Bam Gigolo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Paschal shoots in for a double leg but Gigolo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gigolo thinks about countering with a head kick.
Gigolo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Paschal can do to turn this around?

Paschal darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Gigolo is trying to control but can't.

Paschal is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gigolo tries to get to full guard but Paschal has control of the leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paschal is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Gigolo!
Paschal looking to control but Gigolo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Gigolo stops Paschal from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gigolo is looking to get to half guard.
Akil Paschal has got the better of the ground game so far.

Paschal is working for a guillotine from mount but Gigolo frees his head quite easily.
Gigolo is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gigolo sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Gigolo wants to control but Paschal is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gigolo tries to roll over but Paschal keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 fighters are battling for position here. Gigolo manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Paschal wants to pass the guard but Gigolo is keeping the position.
Gigolo will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Paschal preventing the sweep.
Gigolo has control of Paschal's left arm, preventing Paschal from doing any damage.
Paschal pushes down on Gigolo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Paschal sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gigolo defending well though.
Gigolo is staying active underneath Paschal, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gigolo looks like he's trying to stand up.
Paschal is looking to take a break and control but Gigolo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Gigolo gets caught napping as Paschal dives in and scores a takedown. Gigolo manages to retain guard.
Paschal throws a big elbow that misses.
Paschal slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Gigolo manages to work his way to half guard, despite Paschal's best efforts.
Paschal missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gigolo keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gigolo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Paschal.
Gigolo tries to kick Paschal off but Paschal keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gigolo is looking to control Paschal's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gigolo avoid being mounted?
Paschal is looking to advance position but Gigolo won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Paschal not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gigolo is trying to control but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akil Paschal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Paschal fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gigolo avoids it really well and circles away.
Paschal uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gigolo.
Bam Bam Gigolo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Gigolo decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Gigolo is looking to take a break and control but Paschal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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!
Gigolo is trapped and Paschal is scoring with shots to the head and body.

It looks like Bam Bam Gigolo has been cut.
Gigolo trying to control the action but Paschal just sinks the hooks in.

Gigolo is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Paschal gets his way!
Gigolo staying busy and making it hard for Paschal to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paschal somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Paschal wants to control but Gigolo is keeping busy.

Paschal looking for the choke from the back.
Paschal controlling well, preventing Gigolo from escaping the position.

Paschal working for a choke but Gigolo is defending well.
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.

Paschal working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Gigolo trying to control the action but Paschal just sinks the hooks in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gigolo defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Gigolo breaks Paschal's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Gigolo wants to control from the top but Paschal keeps moving.
Paschal looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gigolo is one step ahead there.
Gigolo working some strikes from top position.

Paschal is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gigolo is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gigolo trying to control but Paschal is working from the bottom.
Paschal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gigolo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Paschal is keeping the position for now.

Paschal looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Paschal is trying to keep Gigolo in close.
Gigolo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gigolo preventing the sweep.
Gigolo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four 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.
Gigolo lands a couple of digs.

Paschal is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gigolo scoring with some ground and pound.
Gigolo wants to control from the top but Paschal keeps moving.

Paschal had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gigolo defends it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Paschal lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Akil Paschal.
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 George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akil Paschal!