PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lucas Pablo (ranked 6456 p4p, 501 weight class) and Gatekeeper Devil (ranked 21433 p4p, 532 weight class). 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.

Pablo
vs
Devil

190 cm
27
195 lbs
5 - 17 - 0

210 cm
23
190 lbs
3 - 10 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 17 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lucas Pablo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gatekeeper Devil!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Vladimir Khabensky and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Devil lands with a hook. Pablo tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Devil jabs at Pablo's body.
Devil tries for a takedown but Pablo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Devil's coach down at Iron Man (Fitness & Sparring) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Devil's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Pablo tries for a takedown but Devil circles away easily
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Pablo darts in trying to clinch
and Devil counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Pablo avoids the head kick by Devil.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Devil tries for a takedown but Pablo circles away easily
and Pablo counters with a straight right hand.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Devil.
Horrible takedown attempt by Pablo or perhaps it was just good defense by Devil, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Devil stuffs the takedown attempt from Pablo. Pablo gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucas Pablo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Devil throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pablo's waist but Pablo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Devil off to one side.
Pablo walks forward, straight into a front kick from Devil.
Pablo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pablo wants it to stay on the feet.
Pablo shoots in for a takedown but Devil shows good takedown defense.

Devil clinches.
Devil presses Pablo against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Devil unloads a knee to the mid-section. Pablo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Pablo is breathing heavily.
Devil unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Devil putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Pablo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Devil leaning against his opponent.
Knees to the body from Devil.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Devil works on Pablo's body with a couple of short punches.
Pablo being controlled against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Devil with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Pablo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Pablo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Devil is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Devil with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Devil struggles to land a body shot inside as Pablo controls his hands.
Devil scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pablo jumps guard but Devil turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Devil throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pablo blocks it with crossed arms.
Devil lands a body shot in the clinch.
Devil throws a knee to the head but misses.
Devil landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Devil.
Devil working Pablo over with knees to the body.
Devil taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Devil is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Devil slows down the pace here.
Devil using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Pablo is working for takedown but Devil is calmly controlling the position for now.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Devil takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Devil scores a nice knee to the body.
Pablo takes a knee right on the jaw!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Devil - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Devil lands a nice knee to the body.
Devil effectively controlling the action here.
Devil with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Pablo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Devil cracks Pablo with a nice body shot.
Devil landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Devil lands a body punch in the clinch.
Devil effectively controlling the action here.
Devil utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gatekeeper Devil dominated that round.
That's time! Pablo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Pablo gets tackled into the cage by Devil. Devil maintains the clinch.
Knees to the body from Devil.
Devil using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Devil connects with a nasty looking knee right to Pablo's face.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Devil obliges.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Devil obliges.
Devil has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Devil crunches a lovely knee into Pablo's ribcage.
Devil lands a nice knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Devil obliges.
Pablo takes a knee to the side of the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pablo takes a knee to the side of the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Devil unloads a knee to the mid-section. Pablo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Devil.
Devil effectively controlling the action here.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Devil leaning against his opponent.
Devil putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Pablo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Devil obliges.
Pablo looking to stall.
Devil putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Pablo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Pablo takes a knee to the side of the body.
Devil landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Devil utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Devil with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Devil is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Devil lands a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knees to the body from Devil.
Devil lands a knee to the body.
Devil lands a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Devil obliges.
Devil using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Devil scores a nice knee to the body.
Devil will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Pablo up against the cage.
Devil crunches a lovely knee into Pablo's ribcage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Devil unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Devil lands a nice knee to the body.
Devil lands a knee to the head.
Devil will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Pablo up against the cage.
Devil tries to land knees in the clinch but Pablo avoids the damage to the body.
Devil unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Devil stalling.
Devil manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Devil is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Devil connects with a knee to the head.
Devil with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Pablo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Devil tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pablo avoids it.
Devil connects with a nasty looking knee right to Pablo's face.
Pablo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Devil gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Devil takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Devil landing knees to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Devil putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Pablo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Devil using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Devil slows down the pace here.
Pablo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gatekeeper Devil showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Devil throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Devil misses with a takedown attempt
and Pablo counters with a series of strikes. Devil will be more careful next time no doubt.

Devil changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pablo looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Pablo tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

Devil decides to stand up.
Pablo looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Pablo sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Devil moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Pablo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Devil slaps away a takedown attempt from Pablo, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Devil closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Devil lands in his opponent's guard.
Pablo trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Pablo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Pablo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Devil wanted to stand there but Pablo had control of the position.

Devil gets to his feet - Pablo follows without any prompting.
Nice sprawl there from Pablo as Devil shoots in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pablo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Devil lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Devil lands with a nice body kick.
Pablo stuffs the takedown attempt from Devil. Devil gets slowly back to his feet.
Lucas Pablo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gatekeeper Devil.
Devil tries for a takedown but Pablo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Pablo tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Devil manages to circle out of the way.
Devil swats away the attempt to clinch by Pablo.
Pablo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Devil throws a series of punches but Pablo avoids them all with ease.
Pablo misses with a wild combination.
Devil steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Devil cracks the inside of Pablo's front leg.
Devil keeps the fight on the outside.
Pablo moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromDevil.

Devil looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Pablo!

Pablo bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Devil is defended easily by Pablo.
Gatekeeper Devil is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pablo darts in and clinches Devil up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pablo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Pablo misses with a punch on the inside.
Devil dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Pablo breaks the clinch.
Lucas Pablo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pablo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Devil.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lucas Pablo.
Well Devil has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 25:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gatekeeper Devil!
In defeat, Lucas Pablo stepped up to the mic, saying 'Puta!'.