PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bond James (ranked 4466 p4p, 4445 weight class) and Ciryl Gane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gane has chosen Zoo - Kaaris as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

James
vs
Gane

190 cm
18
220
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
25
248
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bond James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ciryl Gane!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, John Kavanagh and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gane throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around James's waist but James gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gane off to one side.
Gane stuffs the takedown.
Gane shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts James as he jumps to the side.
James pulls out of a head kick attempt.
James keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gane.

James has taken the fight to the clinch.

Gane's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

James clinches up against the cage.
James tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gane just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

James's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Gane has James up against the cage in a clinch.
Gane unloads a knee to the mid-section. James lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gane lands a takedown into guard.
James trying to keep a closed guard but Gane is proving a slippery customer.
James being controlled here, momentarily.
Gane missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gane is stalling in the full guard.
James tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gane accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gane looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Gane postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Gane fails to land the takedown.
Bond James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ciryl Gane.
James throws a sloppy head kick
and Gane counters with a three punch combo that has James backing up. James nods at Gane to acknowledge the strikes.
Some bone on bone action there as Gane checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
James misses with a takedown attempt

and Gane counters by clinching up.
James is breathing heavily.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gane as he avoids it easily.
Gane thuds a left hand into James's body.
Gane shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says James as he avoids it easily.
Gane misses with a wild combination.

Gane pushes James up against the cage in a clinch.
James is looking for a takedown.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gane blocks the body kick.
James stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and James wants it to stay on the feet.
James fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Gane as James shoots in.
Gane will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gane cracks a nice hook into James's ribs.
Some wild striking there from Gane.
James appears to be looking for a big counter.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gane misses with a takedown attempt - James sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ciryl Gane dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

James fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Gane is out of range.

James takes the fight into the clinch.
James jumps guard but Gane stands there with James around his waist. James gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gane has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
James wants a takedown.
James letting Gane take a breather here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gane as James tries to tie him up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gane drops to a knee looking for a takedown but James gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Gane is trying to drag James to the mat but James just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James breaks the clinch.
James shoots in but Gane avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gane unleashes a big counter combination but James bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bond James. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gane darts in and clinches James up against the cage.
Gane avoiding damage as James throws knees to the body.
James is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Gane is defending well.
James is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Gane escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gane throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gane dives in for a single leg takedown but James sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
James was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

Gane closes the distance and clinches.
James misses with a punch on the inside.
Gane has James pushed against the cage.
James changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gane fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Gane gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Gane jumps into guard, dragging James to the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
James wants to control from the top but Gane keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James with a flurry of punches that miss.

Gane has his foot on James's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. James works his way back into a safe position though.
Gane has James pulled in close to control his posture.
James looking to pass the guard.
James throws a big elbow that misses.
James looking to pass the guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Gane slaps away a takedown attempt from James, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four 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.

Gane rushes James and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gane throws a knee to the head but misses.

Gane manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
James looking to sit in guard and control but Gane gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gane avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gane postures up in James's guard and throws a big left but James blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ciryl Gane showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! James's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Gane dives in and grabs James's left leg, looking for a takedown. James pushes down on Gane's head and hops out.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
Gane looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? James is fending him off so far but Gane persists. Nope, James circles away and we're back to standing.
James is looking for a counter combo.
James takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A jab from James misses.
James looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gane is fending him off so far but James persists. Nope, Gane circles away and we're back to standing.
James dives in for a single leg takedown but Gane sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bond James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gane escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Gane darts in and clinches James up against the cage.
Gane is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Gane goes for a takedown in the clinch but James prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gane tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. James smiles and moves away.
James misses the shot to the body.
James tries a head kick but it misses.
James throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
James throws a head kick that misses

and Gane counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Gane breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
James throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
James takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
James on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gane shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says James as he avoids it easily.
Gane shoots in looking for a takedown but James manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gane's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
James shoots for a double leg takedown but Gane sprawls well. He's pushed James's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! James crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Gane - the referee stops the clock and James gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Gane. James manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Gane moves into the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Gane obliges.

Gane breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gane sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gane tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but James swivels and escapes.
It looked like James was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Gane will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
James tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gane sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten James somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gane looks to land a combination but James avoids it well.
James looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Gane closes the distance and clinches.
Gane stalling in the clinch.
James is trying to maintain a safe position but Gane gets an underhook and turns James into the cage.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gane fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. James looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ciryl Gane is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gane shoots in but no luck this time.
James fails to land with a series of punches.
Gane throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Gane leaves James with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Gane clinches up against the cage.
Gane lands a knee to the body.

Gane pulls guard.
Bond James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ciryl Gane comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gane 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30

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