PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gamzat Gamzatov (ranked 2857 p4p, 2731 weight class) and Riley Pierce (ranked 371 p4p, 352 weight class). Gamzatov comes into the arena with Entrance Song blaring out of the sound system. Pierce comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Thunder Rolls kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Riley Pierce has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Gamzat Gamzatov's chin.

Gamzatov
vs
Pierce

188 cm
28
203
12 - 12 - 0

185 cm
24
188
4 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 12 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gamzat Gamzatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Riley Pierce!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pierce sizes up Gamzatov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Gamzatov gets tackled into the cage by Pierce. Pierce maintains the clinch.
Gamzatov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pierce gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pierce throws a punch but it's blocked by Gamzatov.
Gamzatov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Pierce scores with a nice hook to the head.
Pierce softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Pierce digs a right hand into Gamzatov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gamzatov's gas tank.
Nice body punch from Pierce.
Pierce working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Pierce gets underhooks to prevent Gamzatov's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gamzat Gamzatov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Pierce.
Pierce tries a body shot but Gamzatov blocks it.
Pierce works on Gamzatov's body with a couple of short punches.
Gamzatov is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Pierce is trying to trip Gamzatov. He has hold of a leg but Gamzatov is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Pierce persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Pierce throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gamzatov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gamzatov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gamzatov keeping moving, preventing Pierce from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pierce with a flurry of punches that miss.
Pierce passes into half guard.
Pierce wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gamzatov keeps working.

Pierce seems to be working for a kimura but Gamzatov defends the submission attempt.

Gamzatov is defending against the submission attempts here by Pierce.

Pierce is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gamzatov has managed to free his arm - good work.

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.
Gamzatov trying to control here.
Pierce is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Pierce trying to advance position but Gamzatov counters by regaining guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Pierce has gone for a leg lock! Gamzatov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Pierce's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gamzatov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pierce wants to sweep here but Gamzatov controlling him for the moment.
Gamzatov wants to pass the guard but Pierce is keeping the position.

Gamzatov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pierce has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gamzatov has managed to get both his arms back between Pierce's legs - danger averted.

Pierce is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gamzatov looking to pass the guard.
Gamzatov trying to control the position from guard on top but Pierce is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pierce escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gamzatov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Our spies down at at Hare of the Dog Gym inform us that Pierce has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Pierce is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gamzatov wants to pass the guard but Pierce is keeping the position.
Gamzatov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pierce works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pierce striking off his back but it's not causing Gamzatov any problems.
Gamzatov lands a couple of elbows.

Pierce working for a triangle but Gamzatov defends it easily.
Gamzatov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gamzatov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Pierce is looking for a triangle but Gamzatov pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riley Pierce 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.

Pierce jabs Gamzatov to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Pierce fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gamzatov, pushing him back against the cage.
Pierce lands with a left to the head.
Gamzatov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Pierce pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Pierce manages to break the clinch.
Pierce misses with a body punch

and Gamzatov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pierce won't be happy with that.

Gamzatov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Gamzatov is putting a hurting on Pierce here, landing some big shots from side control.
Pierce is looking to regain half guard here but Gamzatov keeps moving and retains side control.
Pierce keeps trying to improve his position.
Pierce manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gamzatov's best efforts.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gamzatov trying to control from half guard but Pierce is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pierce actively working from the bottom here.
Gamzatov prevents Pierce from improving his position.

Gamzatov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Pierce slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Pierce looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pierce striking off his back but it's not causing Gamzatov any problems.
Gamzatov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pierce's head.
Pierce keeping moving, preventing Gamzatov from controlling successfully.

Pierce looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pierce looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Pierce looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gamzatov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gamzatov trying to control the position from guard on top but Pierce is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gamzatov drops back looking for a leg! Pierce is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pierce manages to kick Gamzatov off! Gamzatov jumps back into Pierce's guard.
Gamzatov chips away with some ground and pound.
We've been hearing that Gamzatov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Gamzat Gamzatov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Pierce looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gamzatov content to stall in guard here.
Gamzatov passes Pierce's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gamzatov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Pierce has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pierce flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Gamzatov prevents Pierce from improving his position.
Gamzatov drops an elbow to the side of Pierce's head.

Gamzatov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gamzatov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Pierce keeping control of the position.

Gamzatov seems to be looking for submissions.
Pierce gets full guard.

Pierce is looking for a triangle but Gamzatov pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gamzatov preventing the sweep.
Gamzatov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gamzatov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Pierce utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Gamzatov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gamzatov trying to control but Pierce is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pierce working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gamzatov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gamzatov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gamzat Gamzatov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Pierce throws an off balance right hand

and Gamzatov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pierce keeping moving, preventing Gamzatov from controlling successfully.
Pierce is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gamzatov advances to half guard.
Pierce is looking for a sweep. Gamzatov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Pierce looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Pierce wants to get back to full guard.
Pierce has hold of Gamzatov's hands but Gamzatov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gamzatov wants to pass to mount but Pierce is defending the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gamzatov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Pierce has managed to free his arm - good work.
Pierce tries to roll over but Gamzatov keeps him under control.
Gamzatov working over Pierce with some ground and pound. Pierce looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gamzatov working Pierce over with strikes.
Pierce is refusing to be controlled, as Gamzatov sits in half guard.

Gamzatov is looking for a kimura but Pierce is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gamzatov to get the leverage.
Gamzatov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Pierce with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Pierce is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gamzatov pulls his head out easily.
Pierce tries to roll over but Gamzatov keeps him under control.
Gamzatov lands strikes from half guard.
Pierce wants to improve his position but Gamzatov is controlling well.
Pierce takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pierce is pressing down on Gamzatov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Pierce trying to control the position.

Gamzatov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gamzatov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pierce throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gamzatov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gamzatov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gamzatov stopping the sweep attempt from Pierce.
Gamzatov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Pierce had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gamzatov defends it easily.
Gamzatov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gamzatov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gamzatov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pierce's head.
Gamzatov passes Pierce's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Gamzatov wants to pass to mount but Pierce is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gamzatov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Gamzatov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pierce doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gamzatov.

Pierce is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gamzatov pulls his head out easily.

Pierce looking for submissions off his back.
Pierce throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Gamzatov working Pierce over with strikes.
Gamzatov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gamzatov passes the guard and advances to mount!

Gamzatov goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Pierce is on top in guard.
Gamzatov is pulling down on Pierce's head. It's preventing any offense from Pierce, at least for the moment.
Pierce must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Pierce drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Gamzatov dives on top into guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gamzatov chips away with some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gamzat Gamzatov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gamzatov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gamzat Gamzatov!
Gamzat Gamzatov opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.
In defeat, Riley Pierce stepped up to the mic, saying 'Ya know, I just felt bad for the man. I mean, it looked like he needed the win more than I did, so what the hell, charity and all man! You're welcome.'.