PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eshkar Gabai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalle Bengtsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gabai kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Ya by Mosh Ben-Ari. Bengtsson has chosen Flat Beat - Mr Oizo as his entrance music. Kalle Bengtsson has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Gabai
vs
Bengtsson

182 cm
22
196 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

182 cm
19
217 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eshkar Gabai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kalle Bengtsson!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Ivan Kurochkin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bengtsson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gabai as he avoids it easily.
Kalle Bengtsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gabai scores with a three punch combo!
Bengtsson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bengtsson shoots in but Gabai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Eshkar Gabai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kalle Bengtsson.
Gabai's corner calls for a 1-2. Gabai obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Bengtsson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Bengtsson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gabai's waist but Gabai gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bengtsson off to one side.
Bengtsson fails with a takedown attempt.

Gabai closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Bengtsson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Gabai escapes and gets back to his feet.

Gabai scores a takedown into full mount!
Gabai trying to control but Bengtsson is having none of it.
Gabai controlling his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabai seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Bengtsson for as long as he can get away with.
Gabai tries to control but Bengtsson wriggling away.
Gabai controlling from the full mount.
Bengtsson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Eshkar Gabai just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Bengtsson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Gabai counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bengtsson's guard now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bengtsson working for submissions but it's allowed Gabai to get to half guard.
Bengtsson looks gassed!
Bengtsson trying to control but Gabai postures up.

Gabai escapes and gets back to his feet.
Bengtsson has his takedown stuffed

and Gabai counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bengtsson has momentary wrist control but Gabai slips an elbow through the middle.
Gabai has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bengtsson is proving hard to escape from.

Gabai gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A leg kick checked by Bengtsson.
Bengtsson with a poor takedown

and Gabai counters with a takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabai cracks Bengtsson with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Gabai decides to stand up, so the ref orders Bengtsson to his feet.
Gabai digs a good body shot into Bengtsson's ribs.
Gabai lands a jab to the nose.

Gabai changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Bengtsson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Gabai decides to stand up, so the ref orders Bengtsson to his feet.
Bengtsson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Gabai counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bengtsson won't be happy with that.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
You can see the frustration on Bengtsson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Gabai stands up and beckons Bengtsson to his feet.
Gabai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bengtsson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bengtsson lands a few punches from side control.
Gabai pushes Bengtsson away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bengtsson gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Bengtsson trying to control the position but Gabai is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gabai tries to improve position but can't.

Bengtsson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gabai has escaped the position, nice work there.

Bengtsson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gabai is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bengtsson scores with punches from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eshkar Gabai dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gabai connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Bengtsson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gabai cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bengtsson tries to move into range but Gabai moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Bengtsson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gabai's guard.
Gabai trying to keep a closed guard but Bengtsson is proving a slippery customer.
Bengtsson tries to free his leg and advance position but Gabai is retaining full guard.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Gabai here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Bengtsson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Gabai on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Gabai tries to get out of the position.
Gabai looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Gabai wants to stand but Bengtsson is controlling the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bengtsson postures up and lands a big shot to Gabai's brow.
Gabai is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Eshkar Gabai overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gabai is trying to control the position but Bengtsson postures up.
Gabai knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bengtsson on the ground.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gabai slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Bengtsson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Gabai is trying to control Bengtsson's posture but Bengtsson avoids it.
Gabai is trying to improve his position.
Bengtsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gabai keeps working.
Gabai wants to get back to his feet but Bengtsson drags him back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gabai tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bengtsson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Bengtsson trying to control the action but Gabai is working from the bottom.

Bengtsson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gabai is trying to buck Bengtsson off.
Gabai is trying to improve his position.
Gabai seems a little lost for a moment, as Bengtsson dominates the positioning.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bengtsson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Bengtsson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Gabai tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bengtsson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Bengtsson tries to score with some ground and pound. Gabai controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Gabai tries to improve position but can't.

Bengtsson is trying to get an arm triangle but Gabai is defending well.
Gabai can't do much from the bottom here.
Bengtsson in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bengtsson throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Gabai sneaks out the side door and pushes Bengtsson away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Bengtsson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gabai's guard.
Gabai tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gabai wants to get back to his feet but Bengtsson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bengtsson advances to half guard.
Bengtsson is tying to control. Gabai wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kalle Bengtsson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Gabai shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gabai showed some decent athleticism there.
Gabai wants to get back to his feet.
Bengtsson wants to improve his position but Gabai is controlling well.
Bengtsson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bengtsson.

Gabai stands and steps away. Bengtsson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Bengtsson has his takedown stuffed

and Gabai counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bengtsson's guard now.
Gabai postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bengtsson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gabai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabai is looking to stand up but Bengtsson won't let him.
Gabai landing some decent shots from guard.
Gabai trying to stand up but can't free himself from Bengtsson's guard.
Gabai looking to sit in guard and control but Bengtsson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Bengtsson drops back looking for a leg! Gabai is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gabai manages to kick Bengtsson off! Bengtsson jumps back into Gabai's guard.
Bengtsson wants to control from the top but Gabai keeps moving.

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

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bengtsson has his takedown stuffed

and Gabai counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Bengtsson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Bengtsson trying to control but Gabai postures up.
Bengtsson tries to get to full guard but Gabai has control of the leg.
Gabai slips a nice elbow through Bengtsson's hands, connecting with Bengtsson's forehead.
Gabai is tying to control. Bengtsson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gabai is looking to stall here but Bengtsson recovers full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bengtsson is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bengtsson trying to control but Gabai is working from the bottom.
Gabai is looking to stand up but Bengtsson isn't so interested in that idea.
Bengtsson trying to control but Gabai is working from the bottom.

Bengtsson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bengtsson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bengtsson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bengtsson stops Gabai from standing up.
Bengtsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gabai is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Gabai decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Gabai postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Bengtsson to stand up.
Bengtsson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Gabai counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bengtsson won't be happy with that.
Eshkar Gabai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kalle Bengtsson.
Bengtsson is not content to let Gabai control the position.
Bengtsson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Bengtsson can't do much from the bottom here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bengtsson is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Gabai is staying active.

Gabai stands up and we're back to a striking position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eshkar Gabai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gabai 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eshkar Gabai!