PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenny Gomi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Povetkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gomi comes to the cage accompanied by Slaap lekker!. Povetkin has chosen Mother Russia as his entrance music. Alexander Povetkin has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Kenny Gomi's chin.

Gomi
vs
Povetkin

175 cm
25
167 lbs
14 - 4 - 1

185 cm
23
165 lbs
6 - 1 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Punishment Nutrition - New products in stock!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kenny Gomi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexander Povetkin!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gomi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gomi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Povetkin swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Gomi fails to land the takedown.

Gomi shoots in and bounces Povetkin off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Povetkin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gomi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gomi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Gomi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Povetkin wants to sweep here but Gomi controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Povetkin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gomi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Povetkin trying to control the position.
Povetkin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Povetkin keeping moving, preventing Gomi from controlling successfully.
Gomi stopping the sweep attempt from Povetkin.
Gomi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gomi postures up in Povetkin's guard and throws a big left but Povetkin blocks it.
Povetkin wants to stand and escape but Gomi is having none of it.
Gomi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gomi trying to control but Povetkin is working from the bottom.

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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Gomi fails with a takedown attempt.
Alexander Povetkin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A low kick from Povetkin misses

and Gomi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Povetkin looking for a sweep. Not yet Povetkin, not yet.
Gomi throwing strikes but missing.
Povetkin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Gomi tries to get to full guard but Povetkin has control of the leg.
Povetkin controlling the action here.
Povetkin is looking to pass Gomi's guard but actually Gomi recovers to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin is stalling in the full guard.

Gomi has his foot on Povetkin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Povetkin works his way back into a safe position though.
Gomi working a defensive guard here.
Povetkin wants to stand but Gomi has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Povetkin tries to free his leg and advance position but Gomi is retaining full guard.

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.
Gomi wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Gomi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Gomi working for a triangle but Povetkin defends it easily.
Povetkin stands and throws Gomi's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Povetkin working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Gomi dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Povetkin shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Gomi has a takedown stuffed.
Povetkin is looking to chop away at Gomi's legs.
Gomi throws a lazy right hand but Povetkin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gomi shoots in looking for a takedown. Povetkin tries to sprawl out of it but Gomi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Povetkin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gomi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Povetkin tries to score with a low kick but Gomi moves his leg out of the way.
Povetkin motions for Gomi to come forward. Povetkin throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Gomi checks a low kick from Povetkin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Povetkin fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Povetkin is looking to chop away at Gomi's legs.
Povetkin leaves Gomi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenny Gomi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gomi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Gomi misses with a straight right.
Gomi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Povetkin counters with an inside leg kick.
Gomi swings widly with a right hand
and Povetkin counters with a thumping low kick.
Povetkin is looking to slow Gomi down with leg kicks.
Alexander Povetkin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Povetkin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gomi.

Gomi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Povetkin quickly recovers to half guard.
Povetkin pushes Gomi off looking to stand but Gomi dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Povetkin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gomi.
Gomi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gomi prevents Povetkin from improving his position.
Gomi 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.
Gomi is trying to control. Povetkin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Povetkin trying to control here.

Gomi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Povetkin is just riding it out for now. Gomi eventually gives up the hold.
Gomi trying to control the action but Povetkin is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin tries to kick Gomi off but Gomi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gomi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Povetkin's head.
Povetkin on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Povetkin wants to get back to his feet.
Povetkin trying to control from the bottom.
Gomi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Gomi is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Povetkin defends it well.
Gomi trying to pass the guard but Povetkin defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin gets back to full guard.
Gomi wants to pass the guard but Povetkin is keeping the position.
Povetkin keeping moving, preventing Gomi from controlling successfully.
Povetkin trying to control the position.
Povetkin wants to stand and escape but Gomi is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gomi trying to control the position from guard on top but Povetkin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gomi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Povetkin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kenny Gomi will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gomi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Gomi 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.
Povetkin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gomi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Povetkin keeps working.
Gomi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Povetkin defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomi stops Povetkin from getting back to his feet.
Gomi throwing shots but Povetkin is blocking nicely.
Gomi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Povetkin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gomi.
Povetkin tries to roll over but Gomi keeps him under control.

Gomi is looking for a kimura but Povetkin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gomi to get the leverage.
Gomi trying to control from half guard but Povetkin is working away.
Gomi is pressing down on Povetkin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Povetkin is holding on for now.
Povetkin is trying to stand up here but Gomi is controlling him well.

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.
Gomi wants to take a breather but Povetkin is having none of it.

Gomi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Povetkin is just riding it out for now. Gomi eventually gives up the hold.
Gomi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Povetkin defending well though.

Povetkin is defending against the submission attempts here by Gomi.
Povetkin trying to control here.
Povetkin is trying to stand back up but Gomi is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Gomi seems to be looking for submissions.
Gomi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gomi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Povetkin pushes Gomi off and gets back to his feet.
Povetkin misses with a low kick as Gomi jumps back.
Povetkin swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Povetkin pushes Gomi up against the cage in a clinch.
Gomi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Povetkin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gomi backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin struggles to land a body shot inside as Gomi controls his hands.
Gomi prevents a body shot from Povetkin.
Povetkin misses with a hook to the ribs.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Povetkin.
A short uppercut from Gomi.
Povetkin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gomi landing knees to the head.
Povetkin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Povetkin.

Gomi jumps guard.

Gomi working for submissions but it's allowed Povetkin to get to half guard.
Povetkin tries to stand but can't do so whilst Gomi controls his leg.
Kenny Gomi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Povetkin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gomi moves into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Gomi clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gomi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Povetkin throws a leg kick
and Gomi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gomi throws out a loose jab but Povetkin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gomi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gomi moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Povetkin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Povetkin wants it to stay on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Povetkin walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Povetkin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Gomi's sensitive parts.
Gomi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Povetkin will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Povetkin throws a leg kick but Gomi sees it coming and moves out of range.
A low kick from Povetkin misses
and Gomi counters with a straight right hand.
Povetkin will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Povetkin tries to clinch up but Gomi circles away and keeps his distance.
Gomi checks a leg kick nicely.
Povetkin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gomi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gomi throws a right hand that misses
and Povetkin counters with a leg kick.
Povetkin buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Povetkin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenny Gomi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Povetkin will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Povetkin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Povetkin throws a leg kick but Gomi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Povetkin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Povetkin turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Povetkin is looking to slow Gomi down with leg kicks.
Gomi is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Gomi throws a combination that misses
and Povetkin counters with a thumping low kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Povetkin.

Povetkin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gomi, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin misses with a body punch.
Povetkin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short uppercut from Gomi.
Povetkin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gomi backwards.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Gomi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Gomi tries to break free but Povetkin pushes him back against the cage.
Gomi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Povetkin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gomis head.
Povetkin is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Gomi pulls guard successfully.

Gomi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Povetkin is aware though and is defending well.
Povetkin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gomi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Povetkin wanted to stand there but Gomi had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gomi pushes a forearm under Povetkin's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Povetkin is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kenny Gomi!
Kenny Gomi retains his lightweight title!