PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brian Ko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kim Gauthier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Ko
vs
Gauthier

175 cm
21
173 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

187 cm
22
176 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Brian Ko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kim Gauthier!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Fujiwara and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ko fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gauthier sprawls well initially but Ko persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Gauthier wants to improve his position but Ko is controlling well.
Ko is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Ko is thwarting Gauthier's attempts to control the position.
Gauthier tries to roll over but Ko keeps him under control.
Ko looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gauthier with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Ko is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gauthier doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ko.
Gauthier is looking to improve his position.
Gauthier gets back to full guard.
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.
Ko trying to control but Gauthier is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gauthier has his foot on Ko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ko works his way back into a safe position though.
Ko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ko is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ko trying to control but Gauthier is working from the bottom.
Ko has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Gauthier looking for a guillotine here but Ko defends easily.
Gauthier wants to sweep here but Ko controlling him for the moment.

Ko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gauthier keeping moving, preventing Ko from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ko seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Ko works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ko is pressing down on Gauthier's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gauthier is holding on for now.
Gauthier regains full guard. Nicely done.
Gauthier looks gassed!

Gauthier throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Ko controlling from the top position.
Ko passes Gauthier's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ko lands with a punch from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ko looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gauthier with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Ko is trying to work for a kimura but Gauthier is defending well.
Ko scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Gauthier tries to roll over but Ko keeps him under control.

Gauthier looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Gauthier is trying to maintain the position but Ko is very close to passing his half guard.
Gauthier gets full guard.
Gauthier manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ko manages to get himself to full guard.
Gauthier trying to control the position from guard on top but Ko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gauthier tries to free his leg and advance position but Ko is retaining full guard.
Gauthier scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gauthier wants to pass the guard but Ko is keeping the position.
Gauthier makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gauthier forces his way into half guard.

Gauthier wants to work for an arm triangle but Ko is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gauthier.
Gauthier thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ko to regain full guard.

Gauthier is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ko is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ko has escaped and now he's on top!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Gauthier working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Gauthier is tightening it up a little... Ko has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Ko reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Ko taps out! nice BJJ there by Gauthier!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Kim Gauthier!