PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Juji Gatame (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artie DeVanzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Gatame might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Storm. Artie DeVanzo told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Gatame
vs
DeVanzo

186 cm
40
174 lbs
34 - 18 - 1

182 cm
28
179 lbs
27 - 17 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent

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 34 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Juji Gatame!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 17 - 1, fighting out of New York, Artie DeVanzo!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gatame fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but DeVanzo avoids it really well and circles away.
Gatame checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gatame wants to clinch but DeVanzo slips to the side
enabling DeVanzo to counter with a crisp jab.
Gatame throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gatame, right into the meat.
Gatame moves out of range of the body kick.
DeVanzo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that DeVanzo has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
DeVanzo tries to bum rush Gatame with a series of wild strikes but Gatame uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

DeVanzo gets a double leg takedown into Gatame's guard.
Gatame trying to keep a closed guard but DeVanzo is proving a slippery customer.
DeVanzo being controlled here momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatame looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
DeVanzo trying to control but Gatame is working from the bottom.
DeVanzo is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gatame is adopting a defensive guard.
Gatame not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
DeVanzo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gatame works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Gatame throws a left and a right that both miss

so DeVanzo counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
DeVanzo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gatame preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
DeVanzo won't allow Gatame to sweep him here.
DeVanzo controlling from the top position.
DeVanzo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatame has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but DeVanzo has passed into side control.
DeVanzo postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Gatame is trying to get back to half guard.
Gatame struggling a bit here.
Gatame is looking for a sweep.
Gatame is trying to control DeVanzo's posture but DeVanzo avoids it.
Gatame is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gatame parries the strikes from DeVanzo easily there. DeVanzo is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Gatame to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gatame struggling a bit here.
Gatame tries to get back to half guard but can't.
DeVanzo scores with punches from side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gatame struggling a bit here.
Gatame holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artie DeVanzo dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gatame throws a sloppy body shot
and DeVanzo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

It looks like Juji Gatame has been cut.
DeVanzo moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
DeVanzo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Gatame gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows DeVanzo to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Gatame controls DeVanzo momentarily but DeVanzo frees himself.
DeVanzo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gatame looking for a sweep. Not yet Gatame, not yet.
DeVanzo postures up in Gatame's guard and throws a big left but Gatame blocks it.
DeVanzo preventing the sweep.
Gatame working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatame keeping moving, preventing DeVanzo from controlling successfully.
DeVanzo is pushing down on Gatame's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gatame is fighting to maintain full guard but DeVanzo has managed to sneak the leg through.
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. DeVanzo connects with a nice short shot to Gatame's temple.
DeVanzo slows the pace down in half guard.
DeVanzo winds up and cracks Gatame with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Gatame avoiding damage under a succession of punches from DeVanzo.

That's two 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.
DeVanzo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
DeVanzo thows a huge punch but Gatame dodges it nicely.
DeVanzo slows the pace down in half guard.
Gatame tries to get to full guard but DeVanzo has control of the leg.
Gatame makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gatame.
DeVanzo throws an elbow that misses. Gatame uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in DeVanzo's guard. Nice move by Gatame!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatame wants to control from the top but DeVanzo keeps moving.
Gatame slips nicely into half guard.
Gatame trying to control the pace.
DeVanzo trying to control here.

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.
Gatame trying to mount his opponent but DeVanzo defends it.
DeVanzo is looking to improve his position.
DeVanzo is trying is best to control the position here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gatame controlling the action here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
DeVanzo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gatame.

DeVanzo tries to keep at a distance but Gatame has taken the fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artie DeVanzo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Juji Gatame's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gatame throws an off balance right hand
and DeVanzo counters with a good, hard body kick but Gatame shrugs it off.
Gatame lands a head shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gatame, as that shot connected.
Gatame misses with a series of wild punches.
Gatame waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract DeVanzo.
DeVanzo connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Gatame fails with an attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from DeVanzo misses the target.
Gatame appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
The fighters circling - Gatame throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DeVanzo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Gatame is rocked!
Both fighters step back and shake their arms out. DeVanzo engages and cracks Gatame with a massive lead left hook - Gatame tumbles to the floor, out cold! What a shot! DeVanzo is delighted - all that hard work in training paid off!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:51 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Artie DeVanzo!
Artie DeVanzo decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.