PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Gomez (ranked 2016 p4p, 2307 weight class) and Chief Claw (ranked 285 p4p, 321 weight class). Chief Claw is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Gomez
vs
Claw

185 cm
33
200
18 - 9 - 0

188 cm
36
200
16 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Carlos Gomez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chief Claw!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Aafke Stam and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Claw moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Gomez goes down! Can Claw finish him!?

Gomez is rocked!

It looks like Carlos Gomez has been cut.
Claw wants to pass the guard but Gomez is keeping the position.
Oh Gomez is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Claw is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Gomez looking for a sweep. Not yet Gomez, not yet.
Gomez seems to have got his legs back now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gomez throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Claw thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gomez trying to keep a closed guard but Claw is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Claw has gone for a leg lock! Gomez slips out almost immediately though and dives into Claw's guard.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Claw keeping moving, preventing Gomez from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gomez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Claw throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Claw is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Claw had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gomez defends it easily.

Gomez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gomez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Claw had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gomez defends it easily.

Claw looking for subs off his back but Gomez has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomez is pressing down on Claw's thigh, looking to free his foot. Claw is holding on for now.
Gomez not doing much here.
Gomez is looking to take a break and control but Claw is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Claw looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gomez is looking for a kimura but Claw is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gomez to get the leverage.
Claw is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gomez wants to take a breather but Claw is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Claw looking for submissions off his back.
Gomez controlling the pace.
Gomez is looking to take a break and control but Claw is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gomez is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Claw is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Gomez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Claw gets full guard.

Claw has his foot on Gomez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gomez works his way back into a safe position though.
Gomez wants to control from the top but Claw keeps moving.
Gomez preventing the sweep.

Claw is looking for a triangle here but Gomez uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Claw is trying to escape the position but Gomez is controlling the position.
Gomez has control of an arm but Claw manages to advance to Gomez's back!
Gomez trying to control the position but Claw manages to sink in the hooks.
Gomez tries to escape the position.

Claw is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
You can see the frustration on Gomez's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Claw is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Claw is trying to stick to Gomez's back but Gomez is turning into Claw. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Claw's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Gomez.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gomez trying to control the position from guard on top but Claw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Claw is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gomez is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Claw had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gomez defends it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chief Claw dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Carlos Gomez's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Claw misses with a jab, cross combination.
Claw uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gomez.
Claw misses with a head kick.
Claw throws the left hand but Gomez avoids the punch easily.
Claw fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gomez throws a leg kick but Claw sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Claw slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Claw missing with a left hand there. Gomez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gomez moves out of range of the strikes.
Claw throws a hook to the side of Gomez's head but Gomez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Gomez with a hook.
Claw on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gomez lands a glancing blow to the side of Claw's head.
Gomez blocks a head kick by Claw.
Chief Claw seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Claw shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gomez is trying to defend but Claw finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gomez wants to control but Claw is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Claw is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomez is pressing down on Claw's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gomez trying to keep a closed guard but Claw is proving a slippery customer.

Gomez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Claw drops back looking for a leg! Gomez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gomez manages to kick Claw off! Claw jumps back into Gomez's guard.

Claw drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Gomez dives on top into guard.

Gomez wants to control from the top but Claw keeps moving.

Claw working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gomez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gomez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gomez trying to control the position from guard on top but Claw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Claw swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gomez is pushing down on Claw's leg trying to pass to half guard. Claw is fighting to maintain full guard but Gomez has managed to sneak the leg through.

Gomez seems to be looking for submissions.

Claw actively working from the bottom here.
Gomez is trying to control. Claw wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gomez not doing much here.
Claw has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Claw looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gomez wants to free his trapped foot but Claw is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Claw wants to control but Gomez is keeping busy.

Claw looking for submissions off his back.
Gomez trying to pass the guard but Claw defending well.
Gomez content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Claw is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gomez pulls his head out easily.

Claw actively working from the bottom here.
Claw tries to get to full guard but Gomez has control of the leg.
Gomez trying to pass the guard but Claw defending well.

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.
Gomez controlling the pace.

Claw looking for submissions off his back.
Gomez is looking to advance position but Claw won't allow it.
Gomez passes to side control.
Gomez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Claw keeps working.
Gomez advances nicely into full mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Claw working to try and regain half guard.
Gomez looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Carlos Gomez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Carlos Gomez's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Gomez tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Chief Claw is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A shot to the liver by Gomez. Beautiful body shot.
Claw throws out a loose jab but Gomez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gomez throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Claw on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Claw shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gomez but Gomez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gomez was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Gomez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Gomez throws a combination. Claw tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Claw lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gomez circles away quickly and effectively.
Gomez scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Claw doesn't seem bothered though.
Chief Claw seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Claw rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gomez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gomez connects with a good right hand that stumbles Claw. Claw circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Claw takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Gomez with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Claw takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Claw fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomez lands a head shot.
Gomez cracks a nice hook into Claw's ribs.
Claw takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gomez lands with a shot to the body.
It looks like Gomez has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Gomez throws a half hearted mid kick.
A slow jab from Claw misses its intended target.
Gomez fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gomez cracks Claw with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Gomez is looking to wear down Claw with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A combination from Gomez does no damage.

Claw gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gomez to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Claw working for a triangle but Gomez defends it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gomez wants to pass the guard but Claw is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomez forces his way into half guard.
Gomez trying to control the action but Claw is working from the bottom.

Claw looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Claw looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Claw gets back to full guard.

Claw is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gomez defends well.
Gomez tries to free his leg and advance position but Claw is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomez trying to control but Claw is working from the bottom.

Claw working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gomez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gomez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gomez pushing down on Claw's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Carlos Gomez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gomez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Claw looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gomez uses his free foot to push down on Claw's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Claw.
Gomez pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Claw tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gomez tries to control but Claw wriggling away.
Gomez looking to control and managing it successfully.
Gomez wants to control the pace but Claw is squirming around nicely.
Gomez landing punches.
Claw is squirming around, avoiding Gomez's attempts to control the action.

Gomez with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Gomez fails to move to back control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlos Gomez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gomez 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28

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