PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Gonzaga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Denato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jason Denato will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Gonzaga
vs
Denato

182 cm
22
204 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

186 cm
22
217 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thiago Gonzaga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jason Denato!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Denato bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Gonzaga is trying to improve his position.
Gonzaga gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Gonzaga is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gonzaga looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gonzaga is not content to let Denato control the position.
Gonzaga works his way to full guard. Good work.

Gonzaga is looking for a triangle but Denato pushes his legs off easily.

Gonzaga looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Gonzaga is looking for a triangle but Denato pushes his legs off easily.
Gonzaga is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gonzaga escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Denato gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Denato trying to control but Gonzaga is working from the bottom.

Gonzaga is looking for a triangle but Denato pushes his legs off easily.

Denato stands up and waves to Gonzaga to follow him.

Denato drives through with a takedown into guard.

Denato stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzaga shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Denato counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Denato trying to control the position from guard on top but Gonzaga is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Denato is stalling in the full guard.
Denato wants to control from the top but Gonzaga keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Denato trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Denato trying to control the position from guard on top but Gonzaga is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gonzaga working for a triangle but Denato defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gonzaga looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Denato has picked Gonzaga up and slammed him! Gonzaga can't keep hold of the triangle and Denato manages to pass to side control!
Gonzaga is looking for a sweep.
Gonzaga manages to work his way to half guard, despite Denato's best efforts.
Gonzaga gets full guard.

Gonzaga has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Denato is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Gonzaga.
Gonzaga is letting Denato control him for a moment.
Denato trying to control the action but Gonzaga is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonzaga is looking for a sweep.
Gonzaga manages to work his way to half guard, despite Denato's best efforts.

Gonzaga looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Denato is pressing down on Gonzaga's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gonzaga is holding on for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gonzaga looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Denato with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Denato dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gonzaga gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Denato counters with a head kick.
Gonzaga with a poor takedown

and Denato counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Gonzaga looking for submissions off his back.
Gonzaga tries to kick Denato off but Denato keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Denato is keen to just control but Gonzaga is a slippery customer.
Gonzaga wants to get back to full guard.
Denato takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Denato prevents Gonzaga from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Denato scores with a takedown into Gonzaga's guard.
Denato really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gonzaga. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gonzaga wants to sweep but no luck.
Gonzaga is working hard here to advance position.

Gonzaga looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Denato is posturing up here but Gonzaga has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Denato tries to roll out but it's too tight and Denato has to tap! Slick submission there by Gonzaga!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Thiago Gonzaga!