PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kyell Gold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Haigh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haigh is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Prayer of the Refugee by Rise Against . 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.

Gold
vs
Haigh

180 cm
33
161 lbs
15 - 12 - 0

170 cm
29
158 lbs
20 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Sun-Tzu
Beaver Jooce!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyell Gold!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Haigh!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haigh misses with a body shot.
Haigh lands a leg kick that knocks Gold off balance momentarily.
Gold misses with a looping left.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Haigh connects with a jab.
Haigh steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gold.
Good leg kick by Haigh there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Haigh slips a jab and a cross from Gold.
Haigh keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
We've been informed that Haigh has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Gold goes for a double leg but Haigh avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Haigh continues to drive forward.
Gold is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Haigh.
Haigh lands with a thumping leg kick.
Gold showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Haigh.
Gold scores with a jab to the head.
Haigh lands with a thumping leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gold looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gold scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Gold throws a body shot but no joy.

Gold closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Haigh did well to prevent Gold getting side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gold thows a huge punch but Haigh dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gold wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haigh keeps working.
Haigh is trying to get back to full guard.
Gold perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Haigh is trying to control but can't.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gold connects with a nice short shot to Haigh's temple.
Haigh is looking to control Gold's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Haigh avoid being mounted?
Haigh is looking for a sweep. Gold is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gold is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Haigh is just riding it out for now. Gold eventually gives up the hold.

Haigh looking for submissions off his back.

That's two 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.
Gold thows a huge punch but Haigh dodges it nicely.
Haigh won't allow Gold to pass to mount.
Haigh avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gold.
Gold has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gold is nestled in close to Haigh, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gold passes the guard and advances to mount!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Haigh manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Haigh looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
We've been hearing that Gold has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Haigh looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold is trying to control the action in half guard but Haigh is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gold working Haigh over with strikes.
Gold prevents Haigh from improving his position.
Gold wants to take a breather but Haigh is having none of it.

Haigh looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Haigh trying to control from the bottom.
Haigh is looking to improve his position.
Gold trying to control from Haigh's half guard. Haigh has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Haigh looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Haigh looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gold lands a couple of decent looking shots.

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

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

Haigh is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gold is aware though and is defending well.
Haigh keeping moving, preventing Gold from controlling successfully.

Haigh throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gold wants to pass the guard but Haigh is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyell Gold dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gold throws the left hand but Haigh avoids the punch easily.
Haigh is looking to score with low kicks.
Jab from Haigh.
Gold thuds his right hand into Haigh's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Gold throws a right and a left that both miss.
Haigh thumps Gold with a low kick.

Haigh scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Gold is trying to get back to half guard.
Haigh wants to stand but Gold is controlling his arm.

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

Haigh wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gold, who protects the arm well.
Haigh trying to control the action but Gold is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haigh gets to mount! Gold was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Gold is trying desperately to improve position.
Gold slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Gold is looking to improve his position.

Haigh is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gold is just riding it out for now. Haigh eventually gives up the hold.
Haigh stalling.
Gold tries to get to full guard but Haigh has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gold wants to control but Haigh is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Haigh is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gold sees it coming and defends easily.
Gold has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Haigh is working away from the top position though.
Haigh is looking to advance position but Gold won't allow it.
Gold is looking for a sweep. Haigh is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Haigh performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Gold is trying to control but can't.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold is not content to let Haigh control the position.
Gold trying to control here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Haigh slips a jab from Gold.
Gold slips under a jab.
Gold shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Haigh as he avoids it easily.
Gold avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gold blocks a jab.
Gold uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Haigh.
Haigh throws an overhand right that lands on Gold's shoulder, as Gold tries to avoid the shot.
No joy there for Haigh, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Good exchange - Haigh coming out on top.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gold.
John Haigh seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Haigh moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold dives in and grabs Haigh's left leg, looking for a takedown. Haigh pushes down on Gold's head and hops out.

Gold shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gold is thwarting Haigh's attempts to control the position.
Gold landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Gold is just content to waste time from the top position. Haigh takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Gold wants to control from the top but Haigh keeps moving.
Gold looking to pass the guard.
Haigh is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Haigh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A slow jab from Gold misses its intended target.
Haigh flicks out a counter leg kick but Gold steps away.
Gold misses with a wild combination.
Gold swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Haigh.
Haigh throws a push kick but Gold slaps the foot to one side.
Gold lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Haigh enables Gold to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Haigh manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Gold with a nice head shot there.
Gold landing with the ground and pound.

Haigh working for a triangle but Gold defends it easily.
Gold postures up in Haigh's guard and throws a big left but Haigh blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Haigh has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gold can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gold wants to control from the top but Haigh keeps moving.
Gold is stalling in the full guard.

Haigh has his foot on Gold's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gold works his way back into a safe position though.
Haigh can't keep his opponent in guard - Gold advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gold seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Gold lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Gold seems to be working for a kimura but Haigh defends the submission attempt.
Haigh manages to get to full guard.
Gold preventing the sweep.
Haigh preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gold with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gold wants to control from the top but Haigh keeps moving.

Haigh had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gold defends it easily.

Gold avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Haigh has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gold can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Haigh tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Haigh working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gold.
Haigh 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.
Gold stands and throws Haigh's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Gold scoring with punches from side control.
Gold cracks Haigh with a big right hand but Haigh just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold gets to mount! Haigh was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gold cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Gold dominating with strikes here.
Haigh is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gold lands a big shot there that rocks Haigh but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Haigh is rocked!

Gold looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Haigh is in all sorts of trouble here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gold is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Haigh can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kyell Gold showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gold has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kyell Gold!
In defeat, John Haigh stepped up to the mic, saying 'Maybe it is time for me to make the move to another weight class.'.