PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ben Passel (ranked 193 p4p, 154 weight class) and Gino Gambini (ranked 24 p4p, 19 weight class). Gambini has chosen Greedy BD - Mobcutmuzik as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Passel
vs
Gambini

177 cm
24
162
7 - 0 - 0

188 cm
29
165
7 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ben Passel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gino Gambini!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Dillan Fox and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gambini gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Passel to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Gambini is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Gambini keeping moving, preventing Passel from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Passel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gambini bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Passel's guard.

Gambini 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Passel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gambini's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambini passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Gambini controls the position.
Passel tries to bench press Gambini off him but Gambini keeps the position.
Gambini remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Passel is looking to regain half guard here but Gambini keeps moving and retains side control.
Gambini is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Passel will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's two 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.
Passel tries to bench press Gambini off him but Gambini keeps the position.
Passel might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Gambini slows the pace down.
Passel is trying to improve his position.
Passel is working hard here to advance position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Let's hope that Gambini has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Passel bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gambini's head backwards.
Passel looks to score with a jab to the body but Gambini is just out of range.
We've been told by Passel's head coaches at BronkÂ´s GYM that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Passel cracks Gambini with a right hand to the side of the head.
Passel walks into a jab.
Passel gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gambini.
Gambini throws a hook but Passel blocks it.
Gambini throws a jab when Passel was well out of range.
Gambini stuns Passel with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice shot by Gambini.
Gambini looks to land a left hand but Passel moved out of range nicely.
Gambini dips to his left and cracks Passel with an uppercut!
Passel throws a big shot that misses.
A left lands for Gambini.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Passel connects with a body shot.
Passel connects with a nice looking jab.
Passel lands with a nice body punch.
Gambini has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Passel catches Gambini with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gambini misses with a looping right.
Gambini scores with a nice right hand.
Gambini tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Passel was well out of range. Poor timing from Gambini.
Passel blocks a jab.
Gambini throws out a loose jab but Passel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Passel half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Passel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It seemed like Gambini was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Gambini staying out of range there.
Gambini throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gambini with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Passel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gambini.
Passel tries to counter with a takedown but Gambini is quick to defend against it.
Gambini misses with an uppercut.
Passel feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gambinis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Passel throws a hook but Gambini blocks it.
Gino Gambini is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gambini misses with a hook.
Gambini rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Passel counters with a single leg into guard. Gambini didn't expect that.
Passel scoring with punches to the head and body.
Passel wants to control from the top but Gambini keeps moving.
Gambini trying to control the position here.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Passel stopping the sweep attempt from Gambini.
Passel passes into half guard.
Passel is trying to control the action in half guard but Gambini is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Passel looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gambini tries to roll over but Passel keeps him under control.
Passel looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Passel wants to control but Gambini is keeping him busy.
Passel is thwarting Gambini's attempts to control the position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gambini slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Passel throws a big elbow that misses.
Passel is working Gambini over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Gambini seems keen to control Passel's posture.
Passel throwing strikes from guard but Gambini blocks nicely.
Passel working some strikes from top position.
Passel looking to pass the guard.
Gambini lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Gambini looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Passel looking for subs off his back but Gambini has passed one foot through into half guard.
Gambini passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Passel!
Gambini wants to take his opponent's back but Passel doesn't allow it.
Gambini controlling the pace for now.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Passel is looking to improve his position but Gambini isn't that keen on the idea.
Passel slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Passel tries to roll over but Gambini keeps him under control.
Gambini tries to pass to full mount but Passel defends it.
Passel wants to get back to full guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gambini with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Passel is looking for a sweep. Gambini is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gambini is controlling the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gambini prevents Passel from improving his position.
Gambini stalling.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gino Gambini will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gambini throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Passel looks to score with a jab to the body but Gambini is just out of range.
Passel misses with a straight left.
Nice shot lands for Passel.
Gambini swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gambini dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gambini looks to throw the jab but Passel is out of range.
Passel moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Gambini bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Passel's head backwards.
Passel with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gambini to score with a decent uppercut.
Gambini might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Decent striking displayed by Gambini there.
Passel throws a jab but it's blocked by Gambini.
Gambini misses with a straight left.
Gambini swings widly with a right hand

and Passel counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Passel trying to control the position from guard on top but Gambini is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gambini looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Gambini is continuing to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Passel trying to control but Gambini is working from the bottom.
Gambini wants to sweep but no luck.
Gambini is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Passel landing some decent shots from guard.
Passel lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Passel with a nice head shot there.
Passel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ben Passel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Passel preventing the sweep.
Gambini is pulling down on Passel's head to control his posture.
Gambini is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Passel tries to get to full guard but Gambini has control of the leg.
Gambini with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Gambini wants to stand but Passel has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Gambini is controlling the pace.
Passel tries to get to full guard but Gambini has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Gambini is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Passel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gambini pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Gambini prevents Passel from improving his position.
Gambini looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Passel tries to roll over but Gambini keeps him under control.
Gambini performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gino Gambini seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gambini misses the jab.
Gambini swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gino Gambini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gambini with a hook.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gambini on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Passel.
Gambini uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Passel.
Passel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gambini.
Passel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gambini throws an overhand right that lands on Passel's shoulder, as Passel tries to avoid the shot.
Passel attempts a counter takedown but Gambini avoids it well and moves away.
The crowd cheers as Gambini lands an impressive looking overhand right. Passel doesn't seem phased though.
Gambini works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Passel moves out of range of the strikes.

Passel shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Passel was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
You can see the frustration on Gambini's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gambini tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Passel misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gambini stops Passel from passing to mount.
Passel sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Gambini is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Gambini is looking to regain half guard here but Passel keeps moving and retains side control.
Gambini takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Gambini is trying to improve his position.
Gambini takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gambini is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Passel's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Passel working Gambini over with strikes.
Passel looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Passel winds up and cracks Gambini with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Gambini is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Passel with the ground and pound but Gambini uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Passel won't allow Gambini to sweep him here.
Gambini working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Passel.
Passel connects with a couple of short punches.
Gambini keeping moving, preventing Passel from controlling successfully.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gambini is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Passel advances position into side control!
Gambini parries the strikes from Passel easily there. Passel is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Gambini to escape.
Passel throws a strike aimed at the side of Gambini's head but Gambini avoids it well.
Gambini defending against the ground and pound.
Gambini takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
You can see the frustration on Gambini's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gambini regains half guard, as Passel was trying to land strikes.
Gambini is controlling Passel's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Passel has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Passel.
Gambini is holding on to half guard well.
Gambini is pressing down on Passel's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Passel throws a big right hand that misses.
Passel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Passel trying to control the position from guard on top but Gambini is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gambini lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Passel being controlled here, momentarily.
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 Ben Passel will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Gambini lands with a cross.
A jab from Gambini misses.
Gambini throws out a loose jab but Passel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Passel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gambini.
Gambini missing with a left hand there. Passel was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Passel has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Passel there as he acknowledges the shot.
Gambini misses with a looping left.
Passel feinted with a counter takedown.
Passel moves out of range as Gambini strikes.
A swing and a miss from Gambini.
Passel throws a hook but Gambini avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gambini misses with a straight right.
Passel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Passel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gambini as he jumps to the side.
Passel scores with a jab. Gambini acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Gambini misses its intended target.
Gambini misses with a straight left.
Passel blocks a jab.
Passel blocks a jab.
Gambini takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gambini, as that shot connected.
Passel slips a straight right by Gambini.
Gambini throws a looping overhand right but Passel ducks down to avoid it.
Passel slips a jab from Gambini.
Passel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gambini.
Passel ducks under a wild hook from Gambini.
A big left from Gambini misses.
Passel takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Gambini takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gambini misses with a straight right.
Passel half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Gambini scores with a jab.
Gambini throws a right and a left that Passel avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gambini throws a body punch but Passel moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Passel slips a straight right by Gambini.
Passel takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Passel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gambini sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gambini moves away from the strike by Passel.
Gambini feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Passels jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Gambini steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Passel.
A telegraphed right hand from Passel misses the target.
Passel checks a leg kick nicely.
Gambini connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Donk. Gambini catches Passel right on the button with a cross.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gambini, as that shot connected.
Passel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Passel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice defenses there by Gambini.
A swing and a miss from Gambini.
Gambini misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gambini staying out of range there.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gambini! But no joy.
Gambini misses with an uppercut

and Passel counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Passel wants to control from the top but Gambini keeps moving.
Passel preventing the sweep.
Passel is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Gambini has control of Passel's left arm, preventing Passel from doing any damage.
Passel with a nice head shot there.
Gambini wants to sweep here but Passel controlling him for the moment.
Passel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Passel working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gambini's head.
Gambini seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Gambini tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Passel landing some decent shots from guard.
Passel trying to control the position from guard on top but Gambini is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gambini is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Passel stopping the sweep attempt from Gambini.
Passel throws a big right hand that misses.
Passel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gambini wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Gambini lands a really nice looking cross but Passel seems unphased.
Gambini throws a hook to the side of Passel's head but Passel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Passel misses with a straight left.
A swing and a miss from Passel.
Gambini connects with a nice looking jab.
Gambini slips under a jab from Passel.
Gambini looks to score with a jab to the body but Passel is just out of range.
Passel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gambini.
Gambini jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Passel throws a lazy right hand but Gambini sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gambini throws out a counter right but Passel avoids it with no problem.
Gambini slips under a jab from Passel.
Passel misses with a looping right.
Gambini lands a lovely overhand right.
Gambini throws a looping overhand right but Passel ducks down to avoid it.
Gambini loads up on a big right hand but Passel slips the punch.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gambini misses with a looping left.
Passel drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gambini sprawls and moves away.
Gambini thows a left - swing and a miss!
Passel attempts a counter takedown but Gambini avoids it well and moves away.
Passel walks into a straight right hand from Gambini.
Gambini lands with a hook. Passel tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Passel slips under a jab from Gambini.
Gambini looks to land a right hand but Passel moved out of range.

Passel shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Gambini is looking for a sweep. Passel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Passel sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gambini defending well though.
Gambini tries to roll over but Passel keeps him under control.
Gambini on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Passel 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.
Gambini regains full guard. Nicely done.
Gambini is controlling Passel's posture.
Gambini is trying to control the position but Passel postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Passel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gambini can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Passel controls the pace.
Gambini wants to control the position but Passel says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Passel is just content to waste time from the top position. Gambini takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Passel throws a big right hand that misses.
Gambini wants to sweep here but Passel controlling him for the moment.
Passel throws a big right hand that misses.
Passel landing with the ground and pound.
Passel won't allow Gambini to sweep him here.
Gambini looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Passel looking to pass the guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Passel working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gambini's head.
Passel throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gambini controlling Passel's posture.
Passel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gambini is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The fighters circling - Passel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Passel misses with a lunging right hand
and Gambini counters with a stiff right hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Gambini darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Passel takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Passel takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gino Gambini comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gambini 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gino Gambini!
Gino Gambini is the new lightweight champion!
Our winner, Gino Gambini, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.