PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dino Gambatesa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and The Fridge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gambatesa
vs
Fridge

185 cm
25
280 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

225 cm
25
347 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dino Gambatesa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, The Fridge!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Daniel Cesar and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Left hook, right uppercut from Gambatesa.
Gambatesa is breathing heavily.
Gambatesa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fridge fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gambatesa avoids it really well and circles away.
Fridge takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Gambatesa cracks Fridge with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Fridge dodges the punch combination from Gambatesa.
Gambatesa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Fridge.
Gambatesa moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Gambatesa lands with a nice combination. Fridge backs away looking to recover.

Gambatesa rushes Fridge and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fridge tries to circle away but Gambatesa has him pinned against the cage.
Fridge wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Gambatesa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gambatesa misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fridge shoots for a double leg takedown but Gambatesa sprawls well. He's pushed Fridge's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fridge is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gambatesa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Dino Gambatesa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Fridge.
Gambatesa scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A head kick misses from Fridge.
Gambatesa misses with a wild body shot.
Fridge shoots in for a takedown but Gambatesa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fridge wants to clinch up but Gambatesa keeps it at a distance.
Fridge tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gambatesa swivels and escapes.
Gambatesa fails to land with a series of punches.
Gambatesa tries to bum rush Fridge with a series of wild strikes but Fridge uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gambatesa connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gambatesa avoids a kick to the body.
Fridge bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gambatesa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fridge.
Gambatesa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gambatesa bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gambatesa lands with a nice combination. Fridge backs away looking to recover.
Fridge takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Gambatesa throws out a loose jab but Fridge uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fridge tries to clinch up but Gambatesa circles away and keeps his distance.
Fridge shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gambatesa defends it nicely.
Gambatesa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Gambatesa misses with a wild body shot.
Gambatesa throws a series of punches but Fridge moves out of range.
No joy there for Gambatesa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Dino Gambatesa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fridge. Gambatesa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gambatesa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
No joy there for Gambatesa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fridge looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gambatesa is fending him off so far but Fridge persists. Nope, Gambatesa circles away and we're back to standing.
Fridge is looking to clinch but Gambatesa is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fridge will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gambatesa looks to land a combination but Fridge avoids it well.
Gambatesa tries to clinch

and Fridge counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fridge.

Gambatesa breaks the clinch.
Fridge shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gambatesa pinned against the cage. Gambatesa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Fridge shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gambatesa as he jumps to the side.
Fridge misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A punch combination from Gambatesa misses.
Gambatesa lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Fridge.

Fridge drives through and clinches with Gambatesa against the cage.
Fridge misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gambatesa has Fridge pressed against the cage, preventing Fridge from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Fridge is trying to break the clinch but Gambatesa has him pressed against the cage.
Gambatesa is looking to break free of the clinch but Fridge has double underhooks.
Gambatesa wants to break free but Fridge has control.

Gambatesa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gambatesa is working the combinations to good effect here.
Gambatesa bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Fridge's head.
Gambatesa leaves Fridge with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Fridge tries to close the distance and clinch but Gambatesa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gambatesa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fridge sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fridge fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Fridge is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gambatesa.
Gambatesa throws a nice looking combination but Fridge bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fridge looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fridge slips a jab and a cross from Gambatesa.
Fridge takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dino Gambatesa dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gambatesa scores with a hook to the body. Fridge takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gambatesa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Fridge.
Dino Gambatesa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fridge misses with the combination.
Gambatesa misses with a combination
and Fridge counters with a straight right hand.
Gambatesa ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gambatesa looks to land a combination but Fridge avoids it well.
Gambatesa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fridge's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Gambatesa connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Fridge scrambles back to his feet.
Fridge tries to clinch up.
Fridge tries to clinch up
and Gambatesa counters with a low kick, right behind Fridge 's knee.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fridge tries to clinch but Gambatesa moves away
and Gambatesa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Fridge moves out of range as Gambatesa strikes.
Fridge looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gambatesa can't break the clinch.
Fridge looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gambatesa has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Fridge tries to break free but Gambatesa pushes him back against the cage.
Fridge has had enough of the clinch but Gambatesa keeps him there for the moment.
Gambatesa is looking to break free of the clinch but Fridge has double underhooks.
Fridge working hard to break the clinch.

Fridge escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gambatesa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fridge.
Fridge takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Fridge takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nice sprawl there from Gambatesa as Fridge shoots in.
Dino Gambatesa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Fridge.
No joy there for Gambatesa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gambatesa scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fridge shoots for a double leg takedown but Gambatesa sprawls well. He's pushed Fridge's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fridge tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gambatesa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gambatesa swinging wildly here.
Fridge thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gambatesa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fridge moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gambatesa works over Fridge's head and body with a nice combination.
Fridge jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Gambatesa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fridge shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gambatesa as he avoids it easily.
Fridge looks to land a right hand but Gambatesa moved out of range.
The crowd cheers as Gambatesa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Fridge doesn't seem phased though.
Gambatesa throws an overhand right that lands on Fridge's shoulder, as Fridge tries to avoid the shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Gambatesa.
Gambatesa has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

Fridge instigates a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fridge prevents Gambatesa from breaking the clinch.
Gambatesa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Fridge is trying to break free.

Gambatesa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fridge avoids a punch combination nicely.
Fridge moves out of range as Gambatesa strikes.
Fridge takes a swing at Gambatesa's ribcage but misses.
Gambatesa misses with a double jab
and Fridge counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Good shot there by Fridge.
Fridge misses with a double jab
and Gambatesa counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Fridge fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fridge looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fridge uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gambatesa.

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.
Fridge misses with a looping left.
Fridge looks to clinch
and Gambatesa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fridge throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fridge tries to clinch but Gambatesa moves out of range.
Gambatesa misses with an uppercut.
Fridge connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gambatesa throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gambatesa stuffs the takedown.
Gambatesa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fridge shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fridge avoids the body shot from Gambatesa.
Gambatesa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fridge dives in and grabs Gambatesa's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gambatesa pushes down on Fridge's head and hops out.
Fridge shoots in for a double leg but Gambatesa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gambatesa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Fridge.
Gambatesa connects with a single shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dino Gambatesa dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Fridge tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Gambatesa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gambatesa looks to land a combination but Fridge avoids it well.
Fridge shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gambatesa defends it nicely.
Fridge misses with a takedown attempt - Gambatesa sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A punch combination from Gambatesa misses.
Fridge looks to land a combination but Gambatesa avoids it well.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gambatesa.
Fridge moves out of range as Gambatesa strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gambatesa scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gambatesa throws a big shot that misses.
Gambatesa misses with a series of wild punches.
Fridge tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gambatesa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Gambatesa. Those never looked like landing.
Fridge misses with a takedown
and Gambatesa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dino Gambatesa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Fridge.
Gambatesa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jab by Fridge.
Gambatesa looks to land a combination but Fridge avoids it well.
Gambatesa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fridge.
Gambatesa misses with a series of wild punches.
Gambatesa sizes up Fridge with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Fridge shoots for a takedown but Gambatesa saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gambatesa lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gambatesa.
Fridge will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nice shot by Gambatesa.
Gambatesa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice takedown defense from Gambatesa. No joy for Fridge on that attempt.

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.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Fridge!
Fridge will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gambatesa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fridge.
Fridge shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gambatesa defends it nicely.
Fridge slips under a jab.
Fridge tries to clinch but Gambatesa moves away
and Gambatesa counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gambatesa misses with a double jab.
Fridge 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.
Fridge fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gambatesa is looking to clinch.
Gambatesa looks to score with a jab to the body but Fridge is just out of range.
Fridge throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Gambatesa holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Fridge wants to break free but Gambatesa has control.
A frustrated look appears on Gambatesa's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fridge working hard to break the clinch.
Gambatesa is looking to break free of the clinch but Fridge has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gambatesa lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fridge or not.
Fridge keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gambatesa's efforts to push away.
Fridge working hard to break the clinch.
Gambatesa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Fridge is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gambatesa pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Gambatesa has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gambatesa prevents Fridge from breaking the clinch.
Gambatesa is trying to break the clinch but Fridge is controlling him.

Fridge pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gambatesa scores with a punch to the head.
Fridge fails with a takedown attempt.
Fridge fails to land the takedown.
Fridge fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fridge takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Gambatesa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fridge.

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 fight stays on the outside here - Fridge looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A swing and a miss from Fridge.
Fridge shoots in looking for a takedown but Gambatesa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fridge's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gambatesa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gambatesa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fridge was well out of range. Poor timing from Gambatesa.
Fridge takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Dino Gambatesa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Fridge clinches up against the cage.
Gambatesa working hard to break the clinch.
Gambatesa is trying to break free.
The Fridge has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Gambatesa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fridge has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gambatesa sizes up Fridge with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Fridge doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gambatesa counters with a left and a right that stings Fridge.
Gambatesa swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Fridge counters with a straight right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dino Gambatesa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gambatesa, 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dino Gambatesa!