PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jeremiah Gilliam (ranked 4638 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ong Bak (ranked 4557 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gilliam
vs
Bak

191 cm
24
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jeremiah Gilliam!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ong Bak!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bak closes the distance looking to clinch

and Gilliam counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Bak wants to stand back up but Gilliam manages to pass into side control.
Bak taking punishment in the form of punches.
Bak is looking to get back to his feet here but Gilliam is keeping cool and he's managed to take Bak's back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gilliam lands a shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gilliam has the hooks in. Bak is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Gilliam throwing sloppy strikes.
Gilliam lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Gilliam is not going to allow Bak to sit and survive in this position.
Gilliam 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.
Bak tries to roll but Gilliam sticks to his back.
Gilliam controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bak is taking damage to the body and head.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Bak is really stuck here.
Gilliam avoiding Bak 's attempts to control his hands.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gilliam lands strikes to the head.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Gilliam throwing damaging strikes from the back! Bak could be in trouble here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Good control from Gilliam.
Gilliam not allowing Bak to control his hands.
Gilliam controlling from the back.
Gilliam scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Bak is looking for a way out.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bak is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeremiah Gilliam dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gilliam shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bak pinned against the cage. Bak gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gilliam fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gilliam wants to clinch.
Gilliam sets himself, and Bak steps forward looking for the clinch! Gilliam avoids it this time.

Bak closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gilliam is trying to drag Bak to the mat but Bak just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeremiah Gilliam. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bak makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

It looks like Jeremiah Gilliam has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bak is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bak gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gilliam.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bak taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Bak lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A right hand to the body from Bak.
Bak scores with a shot to the side of Gilliam's head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bak.
Bak lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Gilliam is rocked!
Gilliam is looking to take this one to the mat.
Oh Gilliam is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bak gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Gilliam tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bak will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gilliam up against the cage.
Bak fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Bak fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Bak fails to land.
Gilliam jumps guard but Bak stands there with Gilliam around his waist. Gilliam gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bak misses with the head strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gilliam is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Bak is defending well.
Bak lands an elbow inside.
Bak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bak's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Gilliam has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bak is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Bak misses with a punch on the inside.
Gilliam blocking some punches.
Gilliam fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Gilliam blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gilliam is pressed against the cage. Bak pushes back and unleashes a big elbow that really hurts Gilliam! Two more big strikes from Bak and Gilliam crumples to the mat and taps out furiously due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:29 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Ong Bak!