PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Connor Jenkins (ranked 3147 p4p, 0 weight class) and Angel Gifford (ranked 2865 p4p, 0 weight class). Angel Gifford will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Jenkins
vs
Gifford

175 cm
25
240 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

195 cm
25
252 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Connor Jenkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Angel Gifford!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Bart Greer and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gifford misses with a looping left.

Jenkins closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Gifford did well to prevent Jenkins getting side control.
Gifford avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jenkins.
Jenkins stalling.

Gifford looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Jenkins throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gifford is staying active underneath Jenkins, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Gifford looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Jenkins wants to take a breather but Gifford is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jenkins throwing shots but Gifford is blocking nicely.
Gifford is staying active underneath Jenkins, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Nice strikes from Jenkins there.
Gifford tries to roll over but Jenkins keeps him under control.
Gifford keeping hold of Jenkins's head, controlling as best he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gifford goes for a double leg but Jenkins avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Jenkins continues to drive forward.

Jenkins fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gifford to the ground. Jenkins is now in Gifford's guard.
Gifford is looking to stand back up but Jenkins counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Gifford.

Jenkins is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Jenkins trying to pass the guard but Gifford defending well.
Gifford is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gifford wants to control but Jenkins is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gifford is looking to improve his position.
Jenkins tries to pass to full mount but Gifford defends it.
Jenkins is nestled in close to Gifford, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gifford looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Jenkins tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Gifford.
Jenkins missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Well, if Jenkins is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Gifford controlling the position well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Jenkins is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gifford doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Jenkins.
Gifford is trying to stand up here but Jenkins is controlling him well.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Jenkins dominated that round.
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.

Gifford pushes Jenkins up against the cage in a clinch.
Gifford goes for a takedown attempt but Jenkins pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gifford closes the distance but Jenkins moves to the side

and Jenkins counters with a takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gifford tries to improve position but can't.
Jenkins in side control lands a decent elbow.
Jenkins wants to control but Gifford is keeping him busy.

Jenkins is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gifford has escaped the position, nice work there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gifford being controlled for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jenkins prevents Gifford from escaping the position.

Jenkins stands up and we're back to a striking position.
No joy there for Gifford, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jenkins shoots in looking for a takedown. Gifford tries to sprawl out of it but Jenkins keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gifford manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gifford.

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.
Jenkins blocks a head kick by Gifford.
Jenkins throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gifford's waist but Gifford gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jenkins off to one side.

Jenkins looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Gifford!
Gifford is trying to control Jenkins's posture but Jenkins avoids it.
Jenkins is looking to take a break and control but Gifford is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jenkins is chipping away with strikes.
Jenkins slows the pace down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jenkins stands up.

Jenkins drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Jenkins is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Gifford looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gifford trying to control the position.
Gifford is breathing heavily.
Jenkins wants to stand and escape but instead Gifford has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jenkins has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Jenkins manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gifford manages to get himself to full guard.

Gifford working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jenkins doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jenkins manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jenkins trying to control but Gifford is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Jenkins dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Gifford throws a lazy head kick

and Jenkins counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gifford won't be happy with that.
Gifford tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Jenkins trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Gifford tries to improve his position but Jenkins has taken his back! Jenkins has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Gifford tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Jenkins pushes Gifford away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Connor Jenkins!