PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nikita Gorbachev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Massa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Nikita Gorbachev has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Nikita Gorbachev seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Gorbachev
vs
Massa

179 cm
22
161 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Advantage XXX nutrition
Transformer Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nikita Gorbachev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Carlos Massa!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Paulo Santos and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Gorbachev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Massa throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Some wild striking there from Massa.

Massa rushes Gorbachev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Massa takes a shot to the head.
Massa blocks an uppercut.

Massa gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Massa tries to stand but Gorbachev is controlling from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gorbachev is on top in guard.

Massa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gorbachev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gorbachev with a nice head shot there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Massa wants to sweep here but Gorbachev controlling him for the moment.
Massa controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorbachev trying to control the position from guard on top but Massa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Massa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Gorbachev is refusing to be controlled, as Massa sits in half guard.
Gorbachev tries to roll over but Massa keeps him under control.
Gorbachev is breathing heavily.
Massa wants to stand up but Gorbachev is controlling the position.

Massa gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Gorbachev takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Gorbachev tries to clinch but Massa moves away
and Massa counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gorbachev's knee momentarily.
Massa lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Gorbachev clinches but Massa breaks the clinch

and Massa counters by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gorbachev lands with a right to the head.
Gorbachev can't get the takedown.
Massa landing knees to the body.

Massa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Gorbachev closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Massa to the mat! Massa manages to get full guard.
Massa is looking to stand up but Gorbachev isn't so interested in that idea.
Gorbachev stands up over Massa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gorbachev passes into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gorbachev prevents Massa from improving his position.
Massa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gorbachev.
Gorbachev throwing shots but Massa is blocking nicely.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Massa can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gorbachev is trying to control the action in half guard but Massa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ground and pound from Gorbachev.
Massa is trying to get back to full guard.
Massa is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gorbachev looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gorbachev prevents Massa from improving his position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Nice body kick from Massa.
Massa lands with a kick to the temple. Gorbachev shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Gorbachev clinches but Massa breaks the clinch
and Massa counters with a nice leg kick.
A solid body kick from Massa.
Gorbachev darts in trying to clinch
and Massa finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Gorbachev tries for a takedown but Massa circles away easily
and Massa makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Gorbachev really felt that one!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gorbachev tries to clinch
and Massa counters with an inside leg kick.
Gorbachev avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Massa throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gorbachev looks to clinch
and Massa counters with a nice leg kick.
Massa throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Nikita Gorbachev has been cut.
Nikita Gorbachev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Massa circles away from the clinch attempt
and Massa counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Gorbachev misses with a takedown attempt
and Massa counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikita Gorbachev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gorbachev tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Massa counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Massa lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Massa scores with a spinning back kick!
Gorbachev tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gorbachev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Massa counters with a low kick, right behind Gorbachev 's knee.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Massa!
Massa thuds his shin into the meat of Gorbachev's side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Massa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nikita Gorbachev's cut.
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.

Massa lands with a thumping leg kick.
Massa tries a head kick but it misses.
Nikita Gorbachev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Massa circles away from the clinch attempt
and Massa counters with a head kick. That will keep Gorbachev thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Gorbachev looks to clinch
and Massa counters with a three punch combo that has Gorbachev backing up. Gorbachev nods at Massa to acknowledge the strikes.

Gorbachev is rocked!
Gorbachev will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Gorbachev closes the distance but Massa moves to the side
and Massa counters with a leg kick.
Oh Gorbachev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Massa buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gorbachev seems to have got his legs back now.
Gorbachev tries to clinch up
and Massa counters with a leg kick.
Massa scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gorbachev tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Massa counters with a slapping leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Massa thuds his shin into the meat of Gorbachev's side.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gorbachev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Massa counters with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Massa closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Massa stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Massa closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Massa lands in his opponent's guard.
Massa stands up over Gorbachev, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gorbachev striking off his back but it's not causing Massa any problems.
Gorbachev 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.
Gorbachev controlling the position.
Gorbachev wants to sweep here but Massa controlling him for the moment.
Massa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Massa trying to control the position from guard on top but Gorbachev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gorbachev 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 two minutes gone in the round.
Massa prevents Gorbachev from getting back to his feet.
Massa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Massa lands a nice looking body kick.
Massa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gorbachev moves out of range of the body kick.
Gorbachev darts in trying to clinch
and Massa counters with a nice kick to the body.
Gorbachev darts in trying to clinch
and Massa counters with a nice body kick.
Gorbachev looks to clinch
and Massa makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Gorbachev really felt that one!
Gorbachev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gorbachev tries to clinch but Massa moves away
and Massa counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Gorbachev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Massa counters with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Massa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gorbachev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Massa counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gorbachev with a poor takedown

and Massa counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Massa.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikita Gorbachev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right from Gorbachev on the inside.
Massa is pressed up against the cage. Gorbachev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Massa down to the mat. Massa avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gorbachev tries to clinch up
and Massa counters with a body kick that stops Gorbachev in his tracks momentarily.
Gorbachev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Massa counters with a nice body kick.
Massa throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gorbachev tries to clinch
and Massa counters with a head kick.
Horrible takedown by Gorbachev or perhaps it was just good defense by Massa which made him look bad.
Gorbachev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Massa tries to avoid it but Gorbachev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Massa to the ground. Massa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gorbachev shoots for a takedown but Massa saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Massa keeps the fight on the outside.
Massa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gorbachev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Massa counters with a body kick that stops Gorbachev in his tracks momentarily.
Gorbachev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Massa makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Massa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gorbachev wants to clinch
and Massa counters with a nice body kick.
Gorbachev tries to clinch
and Massa counters with a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gorbachev tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Massa counters with a body kick that stops Gorbachev in his tracks momentarily.
Gorbachev darts in trying to clinch
and Massa counters with an inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Massa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nikita Gorbachev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Massa looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Massa, right into the meat.
Gorbachev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Massa counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Gorbachev being controlled here, momentarily.
Massa wants to pass the guard but Gorbachev is keeping the position.
Gorbachev is controlling Massa's posture.
Gorbachev looking for a sweep. Not yet Gorbachev, not yet.
Gorbachev being controlled here, momentarily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Massa has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Gorbachev is proving hard to escape from.
Carlos Massa has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Massa is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Massa drops back, looking for a kneebar! Gorbachev looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Gorbachev looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Gorbachev!
Massa is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Massa throws Gorbachev to one side and escapes!
Gorbachev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Massa. Massa obviously looking to wear him down.

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

Massa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A slapping leg kick lands for Massa.
Gorbachev wants to clinch but Massa slips to the side
and Massa counters with an inside leg kick.
Massa throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gorbachev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Massa circles away from the clinch attempt
and Massa counters with an outside leg kick.
Gorbachev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Massa counters with a nice body kick.
Gorbachev tries to clinch but Massa moves away

and Massa counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Massa.
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!

Massa decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Gorbachev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Massa counters with a solid body kick.
Good leg kick by Massa there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Gorbachev clinches but Massa breaks the clinch
and Massa counters with a nice body kick.
Gorbachev clinches but Massa breaks the clinch
and Massa counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Gorbachev wants to clinch
and Massa counters with a body kick that stops Gorbachev in his tracks momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gorbachev tries for a takedown but Massa circles away easily
and Massa counters with an outside leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikita Gorbachev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Massa throws a front kick that sends Gorbachev stumbling back into the cage.

Gorbachev decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Massa is refusing to be controlled, as Gorbachev sits in half guard.
Massa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gorbachev is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Massa is trying to stand back up but Gorbachev is controlling him
Massa tries to roll over but Gorbachev keeps him under control.
Massa pushes Gorbachev off looking to stand but Gorbachev dives back in and keeps control.
Gorbachev trying to control from half guard but Massa is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gorbachev stops Massa from getting back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Gorbachev darts in trying to clinch
and Massa counters with a body kick that stops Gorbachev in his tracks momentarily.
Gorbachev walks forward, straight into a front kick from Massa.
Gorbachev darts in trying to clinch
and Massa counters with a solid body kick.
Massa scores with a kick to the midsection.
Gorbachev tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Massa counters with a body kick that stops Gorbachev in his tracks momentarily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gorbachev gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nikita Gorbachev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Massa blocking some punches.
Gorbachev is working for takedown but Massa is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gorbachev tries to score a body lock takedown but Massa shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlos Massa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Massa has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 26:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Massa!