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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Franco Gomez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Namba Babakla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gomez comes to the cage accompanied by Bad Motherfucker. Babakla has chosen Dhifo Shaacir ku dhufo Hit as his entrance music. Namba Babakla has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 172 cm
30
200 lbs
19 - 24 - 0 |
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170 cm
34
170 lbs
15 - 9 - 0 |
BJJ Brown Belt
Decent elbows
KO power |
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BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
19 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Franco Gomez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Namba Babakla!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Alexandre Firmino and Paulo Santos.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gomez drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Babakla is looking to reverse the position.
Gomez decides to stand back up.
Gomez thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Babakla if he has to take too many more of those.
Gomez bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Babakla's head backwards.
Gomez gets a takedown into half guard.
Babakla misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Babakla looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gomez takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gomez blocks the strikes from Babakla.
Babakla looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Babakla trying to control here.
Babakla is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gomez pulls his head out easily.
Babakla trying to control from the bottom.
Gomez tries to stand and escape but Babakla is controlling the position.
Gomez wants to work for an arm triangle but Babakla is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Babakla looks like he's trying to stand up.
Babakla is in trouble now - Gomez has advanced to mount!
Gomez is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Babakla to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Babakla shrugs it off.
Babakla is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gomez raining down shots from the mount!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gomez cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Babakla keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gomez is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Babakla goes for a double leg but Gomez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gomez continues to drive forward.
Babakla gets tackled into the cage by Gomez. Gomez maintains the clinch.
Gomez ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gomez no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babakla postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gomez controls Babakla momentarily but Babakla frees himself.
Gomez looking to control but Babakla passes into half guard.
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!
Babakla is working for a kimura but Gomez is defending it quite comfortably.
Gomez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Babakla is working away from the top position though.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babakla is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gomez is looking for a sweep. Babakla is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gomez wants to get back to his feet.
Babakla throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Babakla is looking to take a break and control but Gomez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gomez wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gomez pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Babakla back to the cage. Gomez follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Gomez is looking to clinch but Babakla is avoiding it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Babakla.
Gomez is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Babakla shoots for a takedown but Gomez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Franco Gomez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Namba Babakla.
Gomez cracks Babakla with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Gomez throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Babakla counters with a single leg into guard. Gomez didn't expect that.
Gomez wants to sweep but no luck.
Gomez wants to stand up but Babakla is controlling him.
Babakla working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Franco Gomez dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Gomez jabs Babakla to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Babakla blocks a head kick by Gomez.
Babakla with the counter takedown but Gomez avoids it easily.
Gomez doesn't manage to clinch there - Babakla circles away.
Gomez throws a right hand that Babakla ducks under and follows up with a left that Babakla also avoids with ease.
Babakla shoots in looking for a takedown but Gomez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Babakla's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gomez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Babakla paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Babakla drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gomez defends it well.
Babakla darts in looking for a takedown but Gomez gets double underhooks and turns Babakla into the cage.
Babakla tries to close the distance and clinch but Gomez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Babakla tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Gomez defends well and Babakla ends up having to push Gomez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Franco Gomez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Namba Babakla.
Babakla shoots for a double leg takedown but Gomez sprawls well. He's pushed Babakla's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gomez dips to his left and cracks Babakla with an uppercut!
Gomez misses with a few strikes there.
Babakla tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Gomez misses with a head kick.
Sloppy strikes from Gomez. Those never looked like landing.
Gomez throws a shot to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Babakla shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gomez sprawls well. Gomez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Babakla gets slowly back to his feet.
Franco Gomez is winning the standup battle so far.
Gomez throws a head kick that misses.
Nice takedown defense from Gomez. No joy for Babakla on that attempt.
Gomez looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gomez misses with the combination.
Babakla drops his hands momentarily and Gomez takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Babakla looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A punch lands to the side of Babakla 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gomez seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Babakla circles away quickly and effectively.
Gomez lands a nice leg kick that just misses Babakla's sensitive parts.
Babakla fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gomez avoids it really well and circles away.
Gomez stuffs the takedown.
Gomez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Gomez leaves Babakla with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gomez lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gomez.
Gomez fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gomez lands an overhand right.
Franco Gomez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gomez takes a swing at Babakla's ribcage but misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomez has closed the distance and engaged Babakla in a clinch.
Gomez breaks the clinch.
Babakla shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gomez sprawls well. Gomez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Babakla gets slowly back to his feet.
Gomez gets the takedown into side control.
Gomez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gomez stands up and beckons Babakla to his feet.
Gomez lands a nice hook to Babakla's body. Babakla takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gomez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Babakla is defended easily by Gomez.
Gomez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Babakla can do to turn this around?
Gomez lands a jab-cross combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gomez throws a body punch but Babakla moves out of range.
Babakla steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Gomez.
Gomez scores with a three punch combo!
Gomez jabs Babakla to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A head kick misses from Gomez.
Gomez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Babakla moves away.
Gomez with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Franco Gomez dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Gomez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gomez shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Gomez was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Babakla is not content to let Gomez control the position.
Gomez tries to stand but Babakla is controlling his head.
Gomez decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Gomez closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Babakla's guard.
Gomez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Babakla 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.
Babakla is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gomez defends well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Babakla is trying to improve his position.
Gomez decides to stand back up.
A combination from Gomez does no damage.
Babakla throws a counter combo.
Gomez slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Babakla closes the distance and clinches up with Gomez, looking for a takedown. Babakla pushes Gomez against the cage but Gomez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gomez throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Babakla fails with a takedown attempt.
Babakla takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gomez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Babakla feints the counter takedown.
Babakla throws a half hearted mid kick.
Gomez misses with a double jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babakla shoots for a double leg takedown but Gomez sprawls well. He's pushed Babakla's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Franco Gomez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Namba Babakla.
Babakla tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gomez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
It looked like Gomez was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Gomez throws a series of punches but Babakla moves out of range.
Babakla looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gomez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gomez scores with a nice strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Babakla shoots in looking for a takedown but Gomez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Babakla's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gomez scores with a jab to the body.
Gomez misses with a two punch combination.
Gomez throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Babakla on the side of the head.
A punch combination from Gomez misses.
A right-left combo lands from Gomez.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Babakla defends it nicely.
Gomez cracks Babakla with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A head kick misses from Gomez.
Gomez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Babakla.
Gomez throws a head kick that half lands.
Gomez stuffs the takedown.
Gomez swinging wildly here.
Gomez throws a nice looking combination but Babakla bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Babakla shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gomez counters with a head kick.
Babakla fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gomez tries a low kick but Babakla avoids it.
A head kick misses from Gomez.
Gomez fails to land with a series of punches.
Gomez scores with a push kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Babakla shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gomez as he avoids it easily.
Babakla moves out of range of the body kick.
Gomez scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Gomez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Babakla dives in for a single leg takedown but Gomez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Gomez is looking for a counter combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Franco Gomez clearly takes that 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.
Gomez lands a head kick. Babakla smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Babakla will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gomez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Babakla swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gomez sets himself, and Babakla steps forward looking for the clinch! Gomez avoids it this time.
Gomez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Babakla backs up against the cage.
Gomez fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gomez leaves Babakla with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Babakla shoots in and drives through. Gomez sprawls well.
Franco Gomez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Namba Babakla.
Babakla tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gomez swivels and escapes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gomez lands a jab-cross combination.
Babakla checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Babakla is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Gomez swinging wildly here.
Babakla moves into the clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomez breaks from the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Gomez. No joy for Babakla on that attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Gomez. No joy for Babakla on that attempt.
Gomez cracks the inside of Babakla's front leg.
Left hook, right uppercut from Gomez.
Gomez lands a head shot.
Babakla takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Babakla goes for a double leg but Gomez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gomez continues to drive forward.
Gomez misses with a few strikes there.
Babakla fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gomez avoids it really well and circles away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babakla showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gomez.
Babakla has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Babakla gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Babakla has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gomez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gomez decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Gomez scores with a shot to the body.
Gomez goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Gomez jabs Babakla to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Franco Gomez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babakla throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gomez's waist but Gomez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Babakla off to one side.
Gomez appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Gomez displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Gomez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Babakla drops his hands momentarily and Gomez takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Babakla misses with a takedown attempt
and Gomez counters with an outside leg kick.
Gomez throws a right hand that Babakla ducks under and follows up with a left that Babakla also avoids with ease.
Babakla darts in looking for a takedown but Gomez gets double underhooks and turns Babakla into the cage.
Babakla tries to clinch there but Gomez circles away.
Gomez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Gomez stuffs the takedown attempt from Babakla. Babakla gets slowly back to his feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomez lands with a nice combination. Babakla backs away looking to recover.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gomez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Babakla closes the distance and clinches up with Gomez, looking for a takedown. Babakla pushes Gomez against the cage but Gomez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Babakla. Those never looked like landing.
Gomez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Babakla goes for a double leg but Gomez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gomez continues to drive forward.
A quick step to the side and Gomez tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gomez displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Gomez throws a right hand that Babakla ducks under and follows up with a left that Babakla also avoids with ease.
Gomez throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
No joy there for Gomez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Babakla feints the counter takedown.
Gomez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Babakla tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gomez is in Babakla's guard.
Babakla looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Franco Gomez had his way with Namba Babakla in that 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Gomez scores with a head kick.
Gomez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Babakla.
Gomez throws a combination that misses
and Babakla holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gomez pulls Babakla into guard.
Babakla trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Franco Gomez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gomez wants to get back to his feet but Babakla passes into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gomez is trying to stand.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomez scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Babakla manages to mount him!
Gomez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gomez is working hard here to advance position.
Poor strikes thrown by Babakla there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Babakla goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Gomez is on top in guard.
Gomez is stalling in the full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babakla has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gomez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gomez trying to stand up but can't free himself from Babakla's guard.
Babakla working for a triangle but Gomez defends it easily.
Babakla is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Gomez trying to control the position from guard on top but Babakla is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gomez landing some decent shots from guard.
Babakla has his foot on Gomez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gomez works his way back into a safe position though.
Babakla working a defensive guard here.
Gomez wants to control from the top but Babakla keeps moving.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomez wanted to stand there but Babakla had control of the position.
Gomez stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Namba Babakla has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Franco Gomez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gomez misses with the combination.
Gomez misses with a body shot.
Babakla fails with a takedown attempt.
Babakla fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Franco Gomez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Namba Babakla.
Gomez misses with a double jab.
Babakla tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babakla on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Gomez gets caught napping as Babakla dives in and scores a takedown. Gomez manages to retain guard.
Babakla landing some decent shots from guard.
Babakla won't allow Gomez to get back to his feet.
Gomez trying to control the position.
Gomez wants to stand but Babakla is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gomez is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Babakla dives into side control.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Namba Babakla.
Well Gomez has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 50:42
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 49:43
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 49:43
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franco Gomez!
Franco Gomez retains his middleweight title!
After the fight, Franco Gomez was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
60% |
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