PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Fabrici Gorfal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pavel Kotov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pavel Kotov struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 157.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Pavel Kotov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Fabrici Gorfal's chin.

Gorfal
vs
Kotov

175 cm
26
160 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

175 cm
26
168 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fabrici Gorfal!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pavel Kotov!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kotov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gorfal swivels and escapes.
No luck for Gorfal with that takedown attempt.
Kotov fails with the takedown

and Gorfal counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kotov!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kotov is trying to control Gorfal's posture but Gorfal avoids it.
An elbow from Gorfal crashes against the mat.
Kotov struggling a bit here.
Gorfal is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Kotov will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Kotov defending against the ground and pound.
Gorfal tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorfal fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Gorfal decides to stand back up.

Gorfal drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gorfal throwing strikes from guard but Kotov blocks nicely.
Gorfal with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gorfal postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gorfal trying to control but Kotov is working from the bottom.
Gorfal throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gorfal postures up in Kotov's guard and throws a big left but Kotov blocks it.
Gorfal trying to control the position from guard on top but Kotov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kotov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gorfal. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kotov looking to control.
Kotov keeping full guard, as Gorfal tries to pass.
Kotov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Gorfal pushes down on Kotov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kotov is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gorfal is looking to take a break and control but Kotov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kotov tries to kick Gorfal off but Gorfal keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gorfal missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gorfal not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Gorfal is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kotov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gorfal.
Gorfal thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gorfal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kotov's head.

Gorfal is trying to work for a kimura but Kotov is defending well.

Gorfal is working for a submission of some sort.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kotov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabrici Gorfal dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gorfal darts in looking for a takedown but Kotov gets double underhooks and turns Gorfal into the ropes.
Kotov is working for takedown but Gorfal is calmly controlling the position for now.

Gorfal gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kotov is trying to maintain the position but Gorfal is very close to passing his half guard.
Gorfal throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gorfal not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Fabrici Gorfal overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gorfal is looking to stall here but Kotov recovers full guard.
Gorfal controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gorfal throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kotov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gorfal!
Gorfal slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Kotov wants to pass the guard but Gorfal is defending well.
Gorfal is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kotov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kotov's back!
Gorfal avoiding Kotov 's attempts to control his hands.

Gorfal is looking for the choke from the back position but Kotov is controlling his hands well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotov has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Kotov avoids the strikes from Gorfal.
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!
Gorfal missing with punches from the back.
Gorfal throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.

Gorfal working for the choke.
Kotov tries to escape but Gorfal has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gorfal is cranking Kotov's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Kotov! He's tightened the choke and Kotov is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:26 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Fabrici Gorfal!
Fabrici Gorfal retains his lightweight title!