PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ethan Gilbert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pedrinho Matador (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Gilbert
vs
Matador

187 cm
26
205 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

188 cm
25
205 lbs
5 - 11 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ethan Gilbert!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pedrinho Matador!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gilbert has a takedown stuffed.
Matador tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gilbert swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gilbert circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gilbert closes the distance and clinches up with Matador, looking for a takedown. Gilbert pushes Matador against the cage but Matador circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gilbert throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Matador's waist but Matador gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gilbert off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ethan Gilbert. 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.
Gilbert stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gilbert wants it to stay on the feet.
Gilbert fails with the takedown

and Matador moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matador has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gilbert goes for a takedown in the clinch but Matador prevents it.
Matador prevents the takedown attempt.
Gilbert tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Matador just stands there and leans against the cage.
Matador wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Matador is looking to break free of the clinch but Gilbert has double underhooks.
Matador is looking to break free of the clinch but Gilbert has double underhooks.
Matador wants to break the clinch but can't.

Matador's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matador tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gilbert swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gilbert gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Matador counters by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Matador pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gilbert with a poor takedown

and Matador counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Gilbert keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Matador's efforts to push away.
Gilbert is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Matador breaks the clinch.
Gilbert with a poor takedown

and Matador counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Gilbert throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Gilbert on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Gilbert tries to get out of the position.

Matador thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

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

Matador is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gilbert is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
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.
Gilbert is working Matador over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Gilbert chips away with some ground and pound.

Matador looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Matador looks gassed!

Matador throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gilbert chips away with some ground and pound.
Gilbert cracks Matador with a solid left hand.
Gilbert connects with a couple of short punches.
Gilbert working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gilbert with a nice head shot there.
Gilbert content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Matador working for a triangle but Gilbert defends it easily.
Gilbert is working Matador over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
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.
Gilbert content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Matador looking for a guillotine here but Gilbert defends easily.
Gilbert distracts Matador with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gilbert makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gilbert tries to stand but Matador is controlling from the bottom.
Gilbert working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Matador is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gilbert landing some decent shots from 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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gilbert postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Gilbert postures up and lands a big shot to Matador's brow.
Gilbert working some strikes from top position.
Gilbert with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Gilbert dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gilbert drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Matador tries to improve position but can't.
Gilbert landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Gilbert cracks Matador with a big elbow.
Matador is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Matador takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Matador is looking for a sweep.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gilbert scores with a couple of short elbows.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gilbert cracks Matador with a big elbow.
Matador tries to buck Gilbert off but Gilbert is having none of it.
Gilbert working the ground and pound.
Gilbert cracks Matador with a big elbow.
Gilbert landing strikes.
Matador takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Matador is breathing heavily.
Gilbert working the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gilbert looks up at the clock and then as Matador takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Gilbert smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Matador taking punishment in the form of punches.
Gilbert working the ground and pound.
Gilbert scores with punches from side control.
Gilbert lands a nice forearm strike.
Gilbert wants to control but Matador is keeping him busy.
Gilbert works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Gilbert lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Gilbert working the ground and pound.
Gilbert scores with a couple of short elbows.
Gilbert working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Gilbert scoring with punches and elbows.
Matador takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Gilbert connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Matador some visible discomfort.
Gilbert landing a few strikes.
Gilbert landing strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matador taking a bit of punishment here - Gilbert scoring with strikes.
Matador tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gilbert wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Gilbert looks up at the clock and then as Matador takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Gilbert smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Gilbert lands some shots froms side control.

Gilbert decides to stand back up.

Gilbert shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gilbert cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
BOOM! Gilbert connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Matador can't escape the position.
Gilbert breaks from Matador's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Matador tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gilbert scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Matador?
Matador is working to get back to half guard.
Gilbert fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gilbert dominating with strikes here.
Gilbert working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Matador tries to reverse the position but Gilbert maintains control.
Gilbert in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Gilbert pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Gilbert is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matador can do to turn this around?
Matador is wriggling around trying to escape.
Matador is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The referee warns Matador that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Matador is wriggling around trying to escape.
A nice elbow there by Gilbert.
Matador tries to reverse the position but Gilbert maintains control.
Gilbert punishing his opponent with strikes.
Ethan Gilbert overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gilbert lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Matador hang on?
Gilbert is landing with some decent strikes but Matador is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gilbert is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gilbert working Matador over with strikes here.
Matador is in a horrible position here. Gilbert smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Matador is rocked!
A nice elbow there by Gilbert.
Gilbert scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Matador?
Gilbert raining down shots from the mount!
The referee warns Matador that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Gilbert lands with some strikes.
Gilbert fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Gilbert lands a big elbow.
The referee warns Matador that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Gilbert looking to finish Matador with some ground and pound. This is bad for Matador!
Matador is still in real trouble! Can Gilbert finish him?
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gilbert lands a heavy elbow.
Matador working to try and regain half guard.
Gilbert lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Gilbert dominated that second round.
That's time! Gilbert's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gilbert doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Matador counters with a shoot takedown. Gilbert fights it but they end up in guard.
Matador seems to have recovered his senses.

Matador drops back, looking for a kneebar! Gilbert looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Gilbert looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Gilbert!
Matador tries to buck Gilbert off but Gilbert is having none of it.
Gilbert working the ground and pound.
Gilbert connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Matador some visible discomfort.
Gilbert wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matador keeps working.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matador takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Matador takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gilbert grinds an elbow into Matador's temple.

Gilbert thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Gilbert scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Matador to see if he's OK.
Gilbert lands some shots froms side control.
Matador on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Gilbert works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Gilbert is chipping away with strikes.
Matador tries to buck Gilbert off but Gilbert is having none of it.
Gilbert scoring with punches from side control.
Gilbert just content to control the position.
Matador tries to bench press Gilbert off him but Gilbert keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matador takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Gilbert is looking to take a break and control but Matador is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Matador taking a bit of punishment here - Gilbert scoring with strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matador is looking to regain half guard here but Gilbert keeps moving and retains side control.
Check out the look on Gilbert's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Gilbert is chipping away with strikes.
Matador tries to bench press Gilbert off him but Gilbert keeps the position.
Gilbert connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Matador some visible discomfort.
Gilbert is working Matador over with some ground and pound from side control.
Gilbert working the ground and pound from side control.
Gilbert scoring with punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matador is trying to get back to half guard.
Gilbert moves into full mount!
Matador is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gilbert lands a big shot there that rocks Matador but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Matador tries to reverse the position but Gilbert maintains control.
Gilbert has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Matador's face.
Gilbert is landing with some decent strikes but Matador is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Gilbert breaks from Matador's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Gilbert scoring with strikes but Matador is staying in there.
Gilbert connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Gilbert landing strikes, looking to finish!
Matador tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gilbert landing strikes, looking to finish!
Gilbert with good strikes from the mount here!
Matador is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matador in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gilbert landing punches.
Matador tries to reverse the position but Gilbert maintains control.
Gilbert breaks from Matador's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Gilbert prevents Matador from getting the reversal.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gilbert cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gilbert cracks Matador with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Matador can't escape the position.
Gilbert landing punches.
Pedrinho Matador has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ethan Gilbert is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gilbert looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ethan Gilbert showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gilbert, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:26
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:26
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ethan Gilbert!