PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bartosz Gajtkowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erwin Rommel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rommel is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by stereo mcs- connected. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gajtkowski
vs
Rommel

187 cm
24
179 lbs
6 - 10 - 0

184 cm
26
175 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 6 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bartosz Gajtkowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Erwin Rommel!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paulsen Ambrosius and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rommel misses with a two punch combination.
Gajtkowski leaves Rommel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rommel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gajtkowski avoids it really well and circles away.
Gajtkowski feints a jab promting Rommel to slip. Gajtkowski then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Rommel slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Gajtkowski.
Gajtkowski stuffs the takedown attempt from Rommel. Rommel gets slowly back to his feet.
Bartosz Gajtkowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erwin Rommel.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rommel shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gajtkowski pinned against the ropes. Gajtkowski gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gajtkowski is looking for a counter combo.
Rommel dodges the punch combination from Gajtkowski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gajtkowski avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gajtkowski looks to land a combination but Rommel avoids it well.
Rommel feints the counter takedown.
Gajtkowski throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Rommel counters with a takedown into side control.
Gajtkowski is looking for a sweep.
Rommel wants to control but Gajtkowski is keeping him busy.
Rommel is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Rommel tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Gajtkowski parries the strikes from Rommel easily there. Rommel is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Gajtkowski to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gajtkowski is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Rommel wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gajtkowski, who protects the arm well.
Gajtkowski tries to bench press Rommel off him but Rommel keeps the position.
Gajtkowski is working hard here to advance position.
Gajtkowski is not content to let Rommel control the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gajtkowski is looking to regain half guard here but Rommel keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gajtkowski sneaks back into half guard.
Rommel is pressing down on Gajtkowski's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gajtkowski is holding on for now.
Rommel works his foot free and advances to mount.
Rommel prevents Gajtkowski from getting the reversal.
Gajtkowski regains half guard.

Gajtkowski actively working from the bottom here.
Gajtkowski is staying active underneath Rommel, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rommel wants to free his trapped foot but Gajtkowski is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Gajtkowski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gajtkowski is trying to get back to full guard.

Rommel is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gajtkowski wants to improve his position but Rommel is controlling well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gajtkowski keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rommel prevents Gajtkowski from improving his position.
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 Bartosz Gajtkowski will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rommel drives through and clinches with Gajtkowski against the ropes.
Rommel wants a takedown.
Gajtkowski prevents the takedown attempt.
Gajtkowski is trying to break free.

Rommel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gajtkowski lands a slapping body shot.
Rommel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gajtkowski avoids it really well and circles away.
Bartosz Gajtkowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erwin Rommel.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Gajtkowski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gajtkowski lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rommel's sensitive parts.
Rommel lands a nice looking body shot.
Gajtkowski misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gajtkowski swinging wildly here.
Some wild striking there from Gajtkowski.
Rommel slips a jab and a cross from Gajtkowski.
Bartosz Gajtkowski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Rommel scores with a takedown into Gajtkowski's guard.
Gajtkowski keeping full guard, as Rommel tries to pass.
Rommel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rommel wants to control from the top but Gajtkowski keeps moving.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Rommel won't allow Gajtkowski to sweep him here.
Rommel is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rommel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Erwin Rommel has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gajtkowski escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rommel gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gajtkowski manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rommel manages to get himself to full guard.

Gajtkowski stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rommel swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Rommel striking off his back but it's not causing Gajtkowski any problems.
Gajtkowski advances position into side control!
Sloppy strikes there by Gajtkowski.

Gajtkowski is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rommel is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rommel tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rommel regains half guard.

Gajtkowski is looking for a kimura here.
Gajtkowski is pressing down on Rommel's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rommel is holding on for now.
Rommel manages to get to full guard.
Gajtkowski wants to control from the top but Rommel keeps moving.

Rommel is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gajtkowski defends well.
Gajtkowski wants to pass the guard but Rommel is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gajtkowski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Gajtkowski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rommel is trying to control the position but Gajtkowski postures up.
Rommel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gajtkowski is one step ahead there.

Gajtkowski decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rommel, up you get!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rommel tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Gajtkowski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gajtkowski looks to land a combination but Rommel avoids it well.
Gajtkowski throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rommel.
Rommel tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Rommel gets a double leg takedown into Gajtkowski's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bartosz Gajtkowski dominated that second round.
That's time! Gajtkowski's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Gajtkowski.
Gajtkowski displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rommel.
A punch combination from Gajtkowski misses.
Rommel shoots in but Gajtkowski avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rommel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bartosz Gajtkowski is winning the standup battle so far.
Some wild striking there from Gajtkowski.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rommel slips a jab and a cross from Gajtkowski.
Gajtkowski looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gajtkowski fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gajtkowski throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rommel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rommel shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gajtkowski as he avoids it easily.
Bartosz Gajtkowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erwin Rommel.

Rommel shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Gajtkowski napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Gajtkowski sneaks back into half guard.
Gajtkowski works his way to full guard. Good work.

Rommel got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gajtkowski has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rommel has managed to get both his arms back between Gajtkowski's legs - danger averted.
Gajtkowski seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gajtkowski wants to sweep here but Rommel controlling him for the moment.
Rommel pushes down on Gajtkowski's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gajtkowski on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Rommel there.
Rommel passes the guard and advances to mount!

Gajtkowski defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Rommel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gajtkowski is desperately trying to improve his position but Rommel has a good base and remains in mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rommel manages to capitalize on a mistake by Gajtkowski to take his back!
Gajtkowski tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Gajtkowski is trying to escape the mount.
Rommel wants to control the pace but Gajtkowski is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gajtkowski manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Rommel is trying to work for a kimura but Gajtkowski is defending well.
Rommel wants to get back to his feet.
Gajtkowski is looking for a sweep. Rommel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gajtkowski makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gajtkowski.
Rommel won't allow Gajtkowski to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rommel forces his way into half guard.
Rommel trying to control the action but Gajtkowski is working from the bottom.
Gajtkowski tries to roll over but Rommel keeps him under control.
Gajtkowski moves into full guard.
Rommel wants to control from the top but Gajtkowski keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gajtkowski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rommel's guard.

Erwin Rommel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rommel is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

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 Bartosz Gajtkowski.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gajtkowski, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight for Bartosz Gajtkowski!
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight for Bartosz Gajtkowski!
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight for Bartosz Gajtkowski!

Bartosz Gajtkowski wins by unanimous decision!