PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between carlo recto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jermaine Gersham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gersham has chosen Scorpions - Rock you like a hurricane as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

recto
vs
Gersham

189 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

187 cm
20
212 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite 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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, carlo recto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jermaine Gersham!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, John Mangel and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

recto scores a takedown into full mount!
recto misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
recto raining down shots from the mount!
recto in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
recto thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
recto thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Gersham manages to regain half guard whilst avoiding the strikes.
recto has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Gersham works to full guard.
Gersham controls recto momentarily but recto frees himself.
recto lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
recto wants to stand and escape but instead Gersham has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
recto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
recto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gersham throwing strikes from guard but recto blocks nicely.
Gersham postures up in recto's guard and throws a big left but recto blocks it.
Gersham pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. recto is keeping the position for now.
Gersham advances position into side control!
recto stops Gersham from passing to mount.

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.
Gersham working the ground and pound but recto is defending the strikes.
Gersham sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but recto is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Gersham looking to punish the body of his opponent here but recto is avoiding damage well.
recto struggling a bit here.
Gersham working the strikes but recto uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Gersham thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
recto avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gersham.
Gersham scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Gersham is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. recto doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gersham.
Gersham throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gersham missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gersham looks to land a strike but recto avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
recto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
recto is looking to stand up but Gersham isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gersham in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gersham throwing strikes from guard but recto blocks nicely.
recto on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if recto tries to get out of the position.
Gersham throws and elbow that misses. recto uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gersham's guard. Nice move by recto!

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.
recto trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
recto postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
recto working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gersham's head.
Gersham utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
recto is fighting to break Gersham's control of his arms but Gersham is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

recto gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
recto misses with a two punch combination.

Gersham clinches with his opponent.
recto wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gersham has him pressed against the cage.
Gersham misses with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

carlo recto dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

recto tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Gersham counters with an inside leg kick.

recto closes the distance and pushes Gersham back into the cage.
A knee to the head by Gersham.
Nice elbow from Gersham.

It looks like carlo recto has been cut.
recto is trying to break the clinch but Gersham has him pressed against the cage.
A knee to the head by Gersham.
A frustrated look appears on recto's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gersham lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Gersham landing knees to the body.
Gersham with a knee to the head.
Gersham lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
recto takes a knee right on the jaw!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gersham lands a knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Gersham.
recto takes an elbow to the temple.
recto takes a knee right on the jaw!
Gersham connects with a knee to the head.
Gersham lands a knee to the head.
Gersham unloads a knee to the mid-section. recto lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Gersham landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Gersham with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

recto manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gersham drives through and clinches with recto against the cage.
recto is trying to break the clinch but Gersham has him pressed against the cage.
Gersham with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gersham crunches a lovely knee into recto's ribcage.
recto tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
recto stalling in the clinch but Gersham improves position.
Gersham has recto pressed against the cage, preventing recto from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gersham with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A frustrated look appears on recto's face as he tries to break the clinch.
recto can't find room to land a body shot as Gersham controls the action.
Gersham tries a knee to the head but recto blocks it.
recto is trying to break the clinch but Gersham has him pressed against the cage.
Gersham connects with a nasty looking knee right to recto's face.
Gersham has recto pressed against the cage, preventing recto from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gersham keeps control of recto as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
recto tries to circle away but Gersham has him pinned against the cage.
recto wants to get back to striking at distance but Gersham won't allow it.
Gersham using the Thai plumb to throw knees but recto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
recto is trying to force a seperation but Gersham has the dominant position.
Knees in the clinch landing for Gersham.
recto wants to break free but Gersham has control.
recto managing to block the knees to the body from Gersham.
recto can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
recto stalling against the cage.
Gersham tries a knee to the head but recto blocks it.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but recto blocks with his arms.
Gersham keeps control of recto as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
recto tries to break free but Gersham pushes him back against the cage.
Gersham crunches a lovely knee into recto's ribcage.
Gersham throws an elbow that misses.
Gersham prevents recto from breaking the clinch.
Gersham looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gersham gets underhooks to prevent recto's takedown attempt.
recto tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gersham smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for carlo recto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

recto closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Gersham did well to prevent recto getting side control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gersham manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells recto's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
recto trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gersham's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
recto in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
recto has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
recto throws a strike but Gersham rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Gersham working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gersham sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed recto's guard.
Gersham tries to pass the half guard into mount. recto knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gersham throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Gersham is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gersham throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gersham thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gersham lands strikes from half guard.
recto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
recto is looking to escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gersham looks to land a strike but recto avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermaine Gersham showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on carlo recto's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Gersham just misses with a punch to the body.
Gersham keeps the fight on the outside.
recto swats away the attempt to clinch by Gersham.
recto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gersham misses with a hook. recto ducked under it nicely.
recto wants to clinch.
Gersham stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gersham wants it to stay on the feet.

Gersham moves into the clinch.
Gersham connects with a nasty looking knee right to recto's face.
Gersham misses with a knee strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gersham with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gersham looking to throw knees to the head but recto is blocking nicely.
Gersham takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gersham throws an elbow but misses.
Gersham lands an elbow inside.
Gersham with a knee to the head.
Gersham with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
recto fails to pull guard.
recto wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gersham scores with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gersham throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
recto wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for carlo recto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
recto is trying to break free.
recto is looking to break free of the clinch but Gersham has double underhooks.
Gersham pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
recto wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gersham lands an elbow just above recto 's eye.

recto breaks the clinch.
Gersham fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gersham tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but recto paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Danga de danga de dang - recto scores with a four punch combination!
A slow jab from Gersham misses its intended target.
recto cracks Gersham with a good jab.
recto has a takedown stuffed.
recto shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gersham sprawls well. Gersham wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. recto gets slowly back to his feet.
Gersham misses with an uppercut. recto saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gersham throws a combination that misses
and recto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gersham just misses with a punch to the body.
recto tries to clinch up but Gersham circles away and keeps his distance.
recto bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
recto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gersham moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Gersham closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gersham looking to throw knees to the head but recto is blocking nicely.
recto has had enough of the clinch but Gersham keeps him there for the moment.

recto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gersham on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
recto swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gersham counters with a left to the body.
Gersham scores with a jab to the body.
recto works over Gersham's head and body with a nice combination.
recto tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gersham swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gersham avoids a punch combination nicely.
No luck for recto with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gersham connects with a crisp jab.

Gersham closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gersham with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
recto has had enough of the clinch but Gersham keeps him there for the moment.
recto goes for a takedown attempt but Gersham pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gersham throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gersham throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and recto counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
recto throws a shot from downtown. Gersham moves away and avoids it.
recto swinging wildly here.
recto clinches but Gersham breaks the clinch
and Gersham connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gersham throws a sloppy body shot
enabling recto to counter with a crisp jab.
Gersham lands a leg kick that knocks recto off balance momentarily.
A shot to the liver by Gersham. Beautiful body shot.
carlo recto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gersham slips under a jab from recto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gersham darts in and clinches recto up against the cage.
Gersham lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
recto takes a knee right on the jaw!
Gersham crunches a lovely knee into recto's ribcage.
Gersham connects with a nasty looking knee right to recto's face.
Gersham tries a knee to the head but recto blocks it.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
recto wants to get back to striking at distance but Gersham won't allow it.
Gersham lands a damaging elbow.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but recto blocks with his arms.
recto is trying to break the clinch but Gersham is controlling him.
recto wants to break the clinch but can't.
recto is looking to break free of the clinch but Gersham has double underhooks.
Gersham connects with a nasty looking knee right to recto's face.
recto wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gersham scores with a knee to the head.
recto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gersham pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Gersham lands a knee to the body.
recto is trying to break the clinch but Gersham has him pressed against the cage.
Gersham lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

recto jumps guard and drags Gersham to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Gersham throws and elbow that misses. recto uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gersham's guard. Nice move by recto!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jermaine Gersham comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gersham 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jermaine Gersham!