PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matt Wolf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabrial Worthington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gabrial Worthington is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Wolf
vs
Worthington

185 cm
25
193 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
185 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

BioPharm Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Wolf!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gabrial Worthington!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Dean Styles and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Worthington scores with a nice right hand.

Worthington manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Wolf on his heels. He'll look to pass Wolf's guard now, I'm sure.

Worthington drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Wolf manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Worthington has Wolf in his guard.
Wolf is in close to Worthington's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Worthington escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Wolf gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Worthington is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Wolf wants to control from the top but Worthington keeps moving.
Wolf throwing strikes from guard but Worthington blocks nicely.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Wolf's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wolf stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Worthington swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wolf trying to control but Worthington is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Worthington working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wolf doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wolf manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wolf wants to control from the top but Worthington keeps moving.
Wolf is in close to Worthington's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Wolf avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Worthington trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Wolf working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Worthington's head.
Wolf with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Worthington is looking for a triangle but Wolf pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wolf pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Worthington is keeping the position for now.
Worthington lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Wolf!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Worthington with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Wolf is desperately trying to improve his position but Worthington has a good base and remains in mount.
Worthington wants to take Wolf's back but he can't do it this time.

Worthington goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Wolf turns into him and now he's in Worthington's guard.
Wolf seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Worthington is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Wolf defends well.
Wolf stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Worthington swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Worthington had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Wolf defends it easily.
Wolf trying to control the position from guard on top but Worthington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wolf has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Worthington is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Wolf defends well.

Worthington had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Wolf defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Worthington working a defensive guard here.

Worthington escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Wolf gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Worthington looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wolf working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Worthington has his foot on Wolf's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Wolf works his way back into a safe position though.
Worthington trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Wolf's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Worthington throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Wolf tries to free his leg and advance position but Worthington is retaining full guard.

Wolf got a little sloppy there for a moment and Worthington has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Wolf has managed to get both his arms back between Worthington's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Wolf misses with a double jab.
Worthington throws a shot from downtown. Wolf moves away and avoids it.
Matt Wolf is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Worthington swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Worthington throws a right and a left that Wolf avoids nicely.
Worthington scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Wolf shoots in for a takedown but Worthington shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Good exchange - Worthington coming out on top.
Matt Wolf seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Worthington scores with a leg kick.
Wolf shoots in and drives through. Worthington sprawls well.
Worthington swats away the attempt to clinch by Wolf.
Wolf tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worthington throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A swing and a miss from Worthington.
Wolf swats away the attempt to clinch by Worthington.
Wolf wants to clinch up but Worthington keeps it at a distance.
Worthington looks to throw the jab but Wolf is out of range.
Wolf wants to clinch.
Wolf tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Worthington manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Worthington swats away the attempt to clinch by Wolf.
Wolf checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Worthington scores with a crisp jab that stopped Wolf in his tracks.
Worthington shoots in but Wolf avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Wolf moves into the clinch successfully.

Wolf has clasped his hands together around Worthington's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Worthington is looking to reverse the position.
Worthington gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wolf tries to pass the half guard into mount. Worthington knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Worthington actively working from the bottom here.
Wolf prevents Worthington from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wolf working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Worthington is refusing to be controlled, as Wolf sits in half guard.
Wolf working the head and body with strikes.
Worthington gets full guard.

Worthington looking for a guillotine here but Wolf defends easily.
Wolf wants to control from the top but Worthington keeps moving.
Wolf pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Worthington is keeping the position for now.
Wolf wants to control from the top but Worthington keeps moving.

Worthington escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Wolf gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wolf postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Wolf stopping the sweep attempt from Worthington.

Worthington working for a triangle but Wolf defends it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wolf landing some decent shots from guard.
Wolf trying to control but Worthington is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Worthington is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wolf is aware though and is defending well.

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

Worthington throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gabrial Worthington will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Wolf tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Worthington paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Wolf pushes Worthington up against the cage in a clinch.
Wolf misses with a body punch.
Worthington is trying to pull guard but Wolf has him pressed against the cage.
Worthington jumps guard but Wolf turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Wolf makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worthington jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Wolf walks away with a smile on his face. Worthington gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Matt Wolf has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabrial Worthington.

Worthington gets tackled into the cage by Wolf. Wolf maintains the clinch.
Wolf lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Worthington or not.

Wolf wants the takedown. Worthington is fighting it off but Wolf persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Worthington's guard against the cage.

Worthington is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Wolf defends well.
Wolf pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Worthington is keeping the position for now.

Worthington is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wolf is aware though and is defending well.
Wolf lands a couple of digs.
Wolf makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Wolf avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Wolf scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Worthington looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Worthington looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Matt Wolf has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wolf postures up and lands a big shot to Worthington's brow.
Wolf distracts Worthington with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Wolf lands a couple of elbows.

Worthington is looking for a triangle but Wolf pushes his legs off easily.
Wolf trying to control but Worthington is working from the bottom.
Worthington can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Wolf controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wolf trying to control but Worthington is working from the bottom.
Wolf is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

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

Worthington throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Wolf escapes and throws Worthington's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Worthington tries to bench press Wolf off him but Wolf keeps the position.
Wolf lands a nice forearm strike.
Worthington can't do much from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Worthington is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Wolf off and has taken his back!

Worthington is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wolf tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Worthington jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Wolf manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Worthington tries to move into full mount but can't pass Wolf's legs.
Worthington wants to stand but Wolf has his arm trapped.

Worthington wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Wolf, who protects the arm well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Worthington working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Wolf showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Worthington 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Gabrial Worthington!