PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fidel Gaspar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thiago Alvarez looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Alvarez
vs
Gaspar

182 cm
22
165 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

182 cm
18
162 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thiago Alvarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fidel Gaspar!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alvarez stuffs the takedown attempt from Gaspar. Gaspar gets slowly back to his feet.
Alvarez looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Gaspar has closed the distance and engaged Alvarez in a clinch.

Gaspar turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Gaspar is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Alvarez has escaped the position, nice work there.

Gaspar looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Gaspar is looking to take a break and control but Alvarez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Gaspar tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gaspar has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Gaspar advances nicely into full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gaspar moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Alvarez has worked his arm free - good work by Alvarez!

Gaspar stands up.
Alvarez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Alvarez throws a head kick that misses.

Alvarez gets a clinch.
Alvarez lands a body shot in the clinch.
Gaspar tries a knee to the head but Alvarez blocks it.
Alvarez is working for takedown but Gaspar is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gaspar drops down looking for an ankle pick but Alvarez pulls his leg out and moves away.

Gaspar gets the takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gaspar thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Gaspar tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Gaspar tries for a kimura but Alvarez is defending well.
Gaspar advances nicely into full mount.
Gaspar fails to advance to Alvarez's back.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gaspar tries to control but Alvarez wriggling away.
Alvarez wants to hold on but Gaspar pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gaspar goes for an armbar but Alvarez turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Alvarez.

Gaspar working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Alvarez has passed into half guard!
Alvarez is taking a breather. Gaspar says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Gaspar is looking to improve his position.
Gaspar moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gaspar keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.
Gaspar 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Gaspar throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Gaspar has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Alvarez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Gaspar escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Alvarez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gaspar keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fidel Gaspar 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.

Gaspar clinches up against the cage.
Gaspar tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Alvarez just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gaspar tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Alvarez smiles and moves away.
Gaspar tries to clinch

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

Gaspar decides to pull guard.

Gaspar throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Alvarez escapes and throws Gaspar's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Alvarez stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Gaspar wants to clinch.
Gaspar wants to clinch up but Alvarez keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaspar swats away the attempt to clinch by Alvarez.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Alvarez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gaspar counters with a head kick. That will keep Alvarez thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Alvarez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Alvarez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gaspar is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gaspar misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Alvarez.

Gaspar ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gaspar no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Gaspar working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Alvarez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Alvarez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Gaspar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gaspar has his foot on Alvarez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Alvarez works his way back into a safe position though.
Gaspar is looking to stand up but Alvarez isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gaspar had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Alvarez is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Gaspar Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Alvarez's back instead.
Gaspar not allowing Alvarez to control his hands.

Gaspar looking for the choke but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gaspar is not going to allow Alvarez to sit and survive in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gaspar looking for the RNC.

Gaspar patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Gaspar is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Gaspar looking to break Alvarez's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Alvarez remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Gaspar will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Alvarez showing good submission defense here.

Alvarez is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Gaspar gets his way!

Gaspar looking for the choke from the back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gaspar looking for the choke from the back.

Alvarez defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Gaspar's arms.

Gaspar is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Alvarez rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Gaspar is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Alvarez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gaspar.
Alvarez trying to hold on to Gaspar's head to control him but Gaspar postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fidel Gaspar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Alvarez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gaspar is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Alvarez gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gaspar with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gaspar is leaning against Alvarez and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Alvarez gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Alvarez wants to stand but Gaspar has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Gaspar is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Alvarez pulls his head out easily.

Gaspar kicks Alvarez off and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Alvarez shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Alvarez controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez wants to control but Gaspar is keeping him busy.
Gaspar is looking to control Alvarez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gaspar avoid being mounted?
Gaspar moves into full guard.

Alvarez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Gaspar working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Alvarez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Alvarez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Alvarez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gaspar can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Alvarez controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gaspar is keeping the position for now.
Alvarez sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gaspar's guard.
Gaspar is pressing down on Alvarez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Gaspar is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Gaspar is working an open guard so Alvarez takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Fidel Gaspar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Gaspar rushes Alvarez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gaspar scores with a knee to the head.
Gaspar using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Gaspar lands a right hand that snaps the head of Alvarez backwards.
Gaspar with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gaspar tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Alvarez just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gaspar has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Alvarez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Thiago Alvarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fidel Gaspar.
Gaspar misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez tries to pull guard but Gaspar won't allow it.
Gaspar misses with a knee to the head.
Alvarez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gaspar just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gaspar gets underhooks to prevent Alvarez's takedown attempt.
Gaspar tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gaspar tries a knee to the head but Alvarez blocks it.

Gaspar escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Alvarez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gaspar wants to clinch but Alvarez slips to the side

so Alvarez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Alvarez passes Gaspar's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gaspar is looking for a sweep. Alvarez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Alvarez is trying to control the action in half guard but Gaspar is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gaspar manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Gaspar manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Alvarez manages to get himself to full guard.

Gaspar stands up from Alvarez's guard - Gaspar perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez shoots in and drives through. Gaspar sprawls well.

Gaspar bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Alvarez regains half guard there - taking advantage of Gaspar's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Fidel Gaspar has got the better of the ground game so far.
Alvarez wants to control but Gaspar is keeping busy.

Gaspar is looking for a kimura here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters are battling for position here. Alvarez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Thiago Alvarez.
Well Gaspar 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight for Fidel Gaspar!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for Fidel Gaspar!
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight for Fidel Gaspar!

Fidel Gaspar wins by unanimous decision!