PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gabriele Ghiotto (ranked 892 p4p, 1813 weight class) and Yaroslav Rurik (ranked 64 p4p, 110 weight class). Gabriele Ghiotto has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ghiotto
vs
Rurik

165 cm
20
135
6 - 0 - 0

165 cm
22
140
4 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Gabriele Ghiotto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Yaroslav Rurik!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rurik throws a half hearted mid kick.
A big right from Rurik misses.
Rurik misses with a body shot.
Rurik pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ghiotto changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rurik misses with a hook. Ghiotto ducked under it nicely.
Ghiotto lunges at Rurik with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rurik's hand.
Ghiotto staying out of range there.
Ghiotto gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rurik cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ghiotto lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rurik at a distance.
A jab lands there for Ghiotto.
Ghiotto lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ghiotto lands with a shot to the body.

Ghiotto darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Ghiotto is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rurik has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ghiotto is trying to work for a kimura but Rurik is defending well.
Ghiotto sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Ghiotto is working for a submission of some sort.

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.

Ghiotto seems to be working for a kimura but Rurik defends the submission attempt.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rurik can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ghiotto controlling the pace.
Rurik wants to control but Ghiotto is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ghiotto slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghiotto wants to control but Rurik is keeping him busy.

Ghiotto is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Ghiotto is working for a submission of some sort.
Ghiotto trying to mount his opponent but Rurik defends it.
Rurik really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ghiotto. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ghiotto is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Rurik is defending against the submission attempts here by Ghiotto.

Ghiotto seems to be looking for submissions.
Rurik is looking for a sweep. Ghiotto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ghiotto is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rurik is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriele Ghiotto dominated that round.
That's time! Ghiotto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rurik throws a hook but Ghiotto avoids it easily.

Rurik gets caught flat footed, as Ghiotto shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rurik can't keep his opponent in guard - Ghiotto advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gabriele Ghiotto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rurik controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Ghiotto wants to take a breather but Rurik is having none of it.

Ghiotto is looking for a kimura here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ghiotto is trying to work for a kimura but Rurik is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rurik is defending against the submission attempts here by Ghiotto.
Ghiotto trying to mount his opponent but Rurik defends it.

Rurik is defending against the submission attempts here by Ghiotto.
Rurik preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

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.

Ghiotto is trying to work for a kimura but Rurik is defending well.
Ghiotto is trying to control. Rurik wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ghiotto trying to control the pace.

Ghiotto is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rurik sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghiotto is looking to advance position but Rurik won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ghiotto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rurik keeps working.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A big right from Rurik misses.
Ghiotto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rurik can do to turn this around?
Rurik is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ghiotto.
Ghiotto appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Rurik motions for Ghiotto to come forward. Rurik throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ghiotto appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ghiotto lands a slapping body shot.
A big left from Rurik misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghiotto fails to land the takedown.
Yaroslav Rurik is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rurik is looking to land body kicks.
Ghiotto jabs at Rurik's body.
Rurik looks to land a body kick but Ghiotto moved away.
Ghiotto closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rurik circles away.
Ghiotto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The fighters circling - Rurik throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rurik tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ghiotto takes a swing at Rurik's ribcage but misses.
Ghiotto misses with a double jab
and Rurik counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rurik lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ghiotto jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ghiotto misses with a looping right.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yaroslav Rurik will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ghiotto dodges the punch combination from Rurik.
Ghiotto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rurik.
A big right from Rurik misses.
Rurik looks to land a left hand but Ghiotto moved out of range nicely.
Ghiotto works Rurik's body with a nice hook.
Rurik closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ghiotto.
Ghiotto takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ghiotto scores with the left hand. Rurik knows he should have avoided that one.
Rurik lands a body shot.
Ghiotto lands a jab to Rurik's midsection.
Rurik misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghiotto steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rurik.
Ghiotto throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rurik.
Rurik needs to keep his hands up - Ghiotto had a free shot at his head there.
Nice defenses there by Ghiotto.
Yaroslav Rurik seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Ghiotto fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rurik sprawls well initially but Ghiotto persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Ghiotto is looking for a kimura here.

Ghiotto is looking for a kimura but Rurik is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ghiotto to get the leverage.
Rurik is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ghiotto is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rurik defends it well.
Ghiotto is trying to control. Rurik wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rurik is controlling Ghiotto's trapped leg to prevent Ghiotto from advancing to side control.
Rurik is refusing to be controlled, as Ghiotto sits in half guard.
Ghiotto is taking a breather. Rurik says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Ghiotto is trying to work for a kimura but Rurik is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Rurik is defending against the submission attempts here by Ghiotto.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rurik manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ghiotto trying to control the position from guard on top but Rurik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rurik trying to control the position here.
Rurik keeping moving, preventing Ghiotto from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rurik slips a straight right by Ghiotto.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriele Ghiotto clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ghiotto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rurik.
Ghiotto changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rurik scores with a jab to the jaw.
Rurik throws out a loose jab but Ghiotto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ghiotto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rurik manages to avoid it.
Rurik looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Rurik misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
No joy there for Ghiotto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ghiotto moves out of range of the body kick.
Ghiotto misses with a looping left.

Ghiotto rushes Rurik and presses him up against the cage.
Ghiotto misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rurik blocks a body shot from Ghiotto.
Ghiotto throws a head punch that misses.
Rurik stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Rurik stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Rurik tries a body shot but Ghiotto blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rurik.
A right hook to the body lands for Rurik.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rurik lands with a short shot to the head.
Rurik tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ghiotto's elbow.
Ghiotto can't find room to land a body shot as Rurik controls the action.
Rurik lands a right hand.
Rurik scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ghiotto pushes Rurik back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Rurik pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rurik stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rurik lands with a right hand.
Rurik misses with a hook. Ghiotto ducked under it nicely.
Ghiotto ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rurik throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ghiotto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rurik! But no joy.
Ghiotto slips under a jab.
Rurik connects with a right hand. Ghiotto shakes it off.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ghiotto bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rurik avoids the body shot from Ghiotto.
Rurik on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ghiotto takes a swing at Rurik's ribcage but misses.
Ghiotto throws a jab but it's blocked by Rurik.
Ghiotto misses the jab.
It seemed like Rurik was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ghiotto moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A leg kick checked by Ghiotto.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rurik.
Rurik pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rurik throws a leg kick that misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Rurik. That snapped Ghiotto's head back.
Rurik walks into a straight right hand from Ghiotto.

Ghiotto drives through with a takedown into Rurik's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ghiotto won't allow Rurik to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghiotto trying to control the position from guard on top but Rurik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ghiotto drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rurik looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rurik looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rurik!

Ghiotto is looking to reverse the position.
Rurik content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Rurik trying to control the position but Ghiotto is working away.
Ghiotto sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghiotto trying to hold on to Rurik's head to control him but Rurik postures up.
Rurik is controlling the pace.
Ghiotto wants to get back to full guard.
Ghiotto slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Ghiotto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rurik gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rurik 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yaroslav Rurik dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rurik.
Rurik throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ghiotto has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rurik.
Ghiotto throws out a loose jab but Rurik uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Rurik throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A jab from Rurik misses.
Ghiotto scores with a jab. Rurik acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ghiotto throws out a loose jab but Rurik uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rurik replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Ghiotto blocks it well.
Ghiotto darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rurik slips under a jab.
And Rurik responds with a good body kick, but Ghiotto manages to step out the way in time.
Rurik misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ghiotto throws a body punch but Rurik moves out of range.
Ghiotto throws a body punch but Rurik moves out of range.
Gabriele Ghiotto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghiotto tries for a takedown but Rurik sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rurik takes a swing at Ghiotto's ribcage but misses.
Ghiotto fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rurik looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Rurik fails to land with a series of punches.
Rurik is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ghiotto.
Ghiotto ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Rurik gets caught napping as Ghiotto dives in and scores a takedown. Rurik manages to retain guard.
Ghiotto trying to control but Rurik is working from the bottom.

Ghiotto drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ghiotto jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rurik wants to sweep here but Ghiotto controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghiotto is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ghiotto wants to control from the top but Rurik keeps moving.
Ghiotto advances position into side control!
Ghiotto wants to control but Rurik is keeping him busy.

Ghiotto tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ghiotto has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rurik is trying to improve his position.
Rurik can't do much from the bottom here.

Ghiotto is trying to get an arm triangle but Rurik is defending well.
Ghiotto is looking to take a break and control but Rurik is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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.

Ghiotto working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Ghiotto thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rurik is looking for a sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gabriele Ghiotto showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ghiotto has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 48:47
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 48:47
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gabriele Ghiotto!
Gabriele Ghiotto retains his bantamweight title!
Gabriele Ghiotto decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.