PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Franco Gomez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bao Le (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gomez kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Before I Forget. Franco Gomez could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Bao Le's chin.

Gomez
vs
Le

172 cm
21
149 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

170 cm
25
133 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Franco Gomez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bao Le!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Mauricio Rocha and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gomez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Le sprawls well. Le wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gomez gets slowly back to his feet.
A cross from Le lands.
Gomez fails with the takedown.

Le is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gomez's half guard.

Le is looking for a kimura here.
Gomez wants to get back to full guard.

Le is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gomez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Le.
Gomez manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomez wants to sweep here but Le controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Le wants to stand but Gomez has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Le works over Gomez with some ground and pound from guard.

Gomez pushes Le off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Le shoots in and bounces Gomez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Le looks winded!
Le stopping the sweep attempt from Gomez.
Gomez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Le's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Le working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gomez.
Le manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gomez manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gomez is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Le is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gomez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Gomez wriggles free and stands up.
Le throws a shot from downtown. Gomez moves away and avoids it.

Gomez feints and as Le raises his hands in defense, Gomez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomez looking to pass the guard.

Le working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gomez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gomez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Gomez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Gomez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gomez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gomez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gomez wants to pass the guard but Le is keeping the position.
Gomez trying to control but Le is working from the bottom.
Gomez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Le is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Le wants to stand and escape but Gomez is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Le can't keep his opponent in guard - Gomez advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Gomez seems to be working for a kimura but Le defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Franco Gomez will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gomez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Gomez gets caught napping as Le dives in and scores a takedown. Gomez manages to retain guard.
Gomez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Gomez is working for a submission of some sort.

Le kicks Gomez off and gets back to his feet.
Le throws a chopping leg kick but Gomez manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Gomez shoots in but no luck this time.
Le is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gomez forces Le back against the cage and clinches.
Le jumps guard but Gomez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Le jumps guard and drags Gomez to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Le looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gomez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Gomez wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Le, who protects the arm well.

Gomez is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Le has escaped the position, nice work there.
Franco Gomez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gomez scoring with punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gomez wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Le, who protects the arm well.
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!

Gomez looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Gomez wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Le, who protects the arm well.

Gomez tries for a kimura but Le is defending well.

Gomez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Le tries to buck Gomez off but Gomez is having none of it.

Gomez tries for a kimura but Le is defending well.
Gomez works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Le tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Gomez presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Gomez moves to the back position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Le fending off the submission attempt from Gomez.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Le wants to escape the position.

Le preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Gomez.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gomez patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franco Gomez dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Gomez fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Le to the ground. Gomez is now in Le's guard.

Le had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gomez defends it easily.
Gomez trying to control the position from guard on top but Le is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gomez drops back, looking for a kneebar! Le looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Le looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Le!

Le is trying to get an arm triangle but Gomez is defending well.
Le takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gomez is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Le tries for a kimura but Gomez is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomez tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Le is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gomez knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gomez is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Le off and has taken his back!

Gomez is persistently looking for the submission but Le is defending it well.
Gomez tries to keep control of the position but Le is staying busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Le defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Le takes a big shot to the side of the head.

Gomez has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Le has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Le has hold of Gomez's leg, trying to break free but it's let Gomez lock up a rear naked choke! This could be big trouble! Le is turning an unusual color here… he's out! Gomez throws him to one side and jumps onto the cage to celebrate with his fans.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Franco Gomez!
Franco Gomez looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'Muito obrigado aos meus fãs, meus amigos e minha família! Grande vitória hoje!'.