PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Clark Gorzecki (ranked 3659 p4p, 2837 weight class) and Hallbjorn Hjorturson (ranked 449 p4p, 371 weight class). Hallbjorn Hjorturson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Gorzecki
vs
Hjorturson

175 cm
19
185
1 - 1 - 0

186 cm
19
190
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Clark Gorzecki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hallbjorn Hjorturson!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gorzecki throws a lazy uppercut
and Hjorturson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hjorturson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gorzecki.
Gorzecki looks to land a combination but Hjorturson avoids it well.
Hjorturson ducks under a wild hook from Gorzecki.
Gorzecki on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Hjorturson slips under a jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hjorturson! But no joy.
Hjorturson looks to score with a jab to the body but Gorzecki is just out of range.
Gorzecki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hjorturson swivels and escapes.

Gorzecki closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Hjorturson is trying to get back to his feet.
The ground and pound from Gorzecki seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gorzecki is staying tight to Hjorturson's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Gorzecki tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gorzecki has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Hjorturson managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Gorzecki.
Gorzecki definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hjorturson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Gorzecki asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gorzecki lands a nice forearm strike.
Hjorturson being controlled for a moment.

Gorzecki tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
You can see the frustration on Hjorturson's face as Gorzecki controls the position.
Hjorturson told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hjorturson is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Gorzecki is controlling him well.
Hjorturson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Hjorturson wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Gorzecki controlling the position.
Hjorturson is trying to get back to his feet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gorzecki lands a nice forearm strike.
Gorzecki prevents Hjorturson from escaping the position.
Gorzecki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hjorturson keeps working.
Gorzecki throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Gorzecki is looking to take a break and control but Hjorturson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Hjorturson is trying to buck Gorzecki off.
Gorzecki controlling from side mount.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gorzecki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hjorturson tries to avoid it but Gorzecki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hjorturson to the ground. Hjorturson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A countering left hand to the body from Hjorturson misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Clark Gorzecki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice defenses there by Hjorturson.
Hjorturson scores with a hook to the body. Gorzecki takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A shot to the body from Gorzecki misses
and Hjorturson counters with a stiff right hand.
Hjorturson defending well as Gorzecki loads up on a big left hand.
Hjorturson is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hjorturson lands with a shot to the body.
Gorzecki fails with the takedown.
Gorzecki jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gorzecki just misses with a punch to the body.
Gorzecki shoots in but Hjorturson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hjorturson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gorzecki manages to avoid it.
Hallbjorn Hjorturson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hjorturson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gorzecki.
Hjorturson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gorzecki rather than just go for the knockout.
Gorzecki rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hjorturson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Clark Gorzecki will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hjorturson works Gorzecki's body with a nice hook.
Hjorturson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gorzecki manages to avoid it.
Gorzecki shoots in and drives through. Hjorturson sprawls well.
Hjorturson throws a series of strikes that have Gorzecki backpedaling.

It looks like Clark Gorzecki has been cut.
Gorzecki throws a shot from downtown. Hjorturson moves away and avoids it.
Hjorturson misses with a straight left.

Gorzecki throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hjorturson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gorzecki is in Hjorturson's guard.
Gorzecki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hjorturson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hjorturson wants to stand and escape but Gorzecki is having none of it.
Clark Gorzecki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hjorturson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Gorzecki looking to sit in guard and control but Hjorturson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hjorturson gets to his feet - Gorzecki follows without any prompting.
Clark Gorzecki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorzecki gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hjorturson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hjorturson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Gorzecki has his takedown stuffed
and Hjorturson counters with a left to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Clark Gorzecki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gorzecki throws the left hand but Hjorturson avoids the punch easily.
Hallbjorn Hjorturson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck for Gorzecki with that takedown attempt.
Nice cross by Hjorturson.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hjorturson. Gorzecki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gorzecki throws a predictable looking body shot
and Gorzecki takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Gorzecki drives through with a takedown into guard.

Hjorturson has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Gorzecki is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gorzecki is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gorzecki is working for takedown but Hjorturson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gorzecki changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hjorturson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gorzecki misses with a hook.
Hjorturson moves out of range of the strikes.
Hjorturson throws a lazy right hand but Gorzecki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gorzecki attempts a counter takedown but Hjorturson avoids it well and moves away.
Hjorturson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gorzecki tries for a takedown but Hjorturson circles away easily
and Gorzecki takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hjorturson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Gorzecki looks to throw the jab but Hjorturson is out of range.
Hjorturson blocks a jab.
Gorzecki avoids the body shot from Hjorturson.
Gorzecki misses with an uppercut. Hjorturson saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gorzecki looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Gorzecki prevents Hjorturson from standing back up.
Hjorturson regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Gorzecki.
Gorzecki keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hjorturson's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gorzecki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gorzecki trying to control but Hjorturson is working from the bottom.
Hjorturson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gorzecki cracks Hjorturson with a solid left hand.
Gorzecki wants to control from the top but Hjorturson keeps moving.
Gorzecki's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gorzecki landing some decent shots from guard.
Gorzecki has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gorzecki working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hjorturson's head.
Gorzecki tries to free his leg and advance position but Hjorturson is retaining full guard.
Gorzecki won't allow Hjorturson to get back to his feet.

Hjorturson pushes Gorzecki off and gets back to his feet.
Gorzecki throws an overhand right that lands on Hjorturson's shoulder, as Hjorturson tries to avoid the shot.
Hjorturson throws a counter combo.
Gorzecki shoots in for a takedown but Hjorturson shows good takedown defense.
Gorzecki shoots for a takedown but Hjorturson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gorzecki doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hjorturson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gorzecki throws an off balance right hand
and Hjorturson counters with a straight right hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hallbjorn Hjorturson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Clark Gorzecki's cut.
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!

Gorzecki takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Gorzecki throws a poor cross that misses
letting Hjorturson counter with a right hand.

Gorzecki is rocked!
Hjorturson ducks under a wild hook from Gorzecki.

Gorzecki decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hjorturson wants to get back to his feet.
Gorzecki perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Gorzecki prevents Hjorturson from standing back up.
Gorzecki is looking to take a break and control but Hjorturson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hjorturson taking some punishment here, with Gorzecki in his half guard.

Hjorturson pushes Gorzecki off and gets back to his feet.
Hjorturson scores with a nice head shot.
Gorzecki missing with a left hand there. Hjorturson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hjorturson doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Gorzecki misses with a right hand
and Hjorturson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hjorturson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Oh Gorzecki is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hjorturson is throwing a storm of strikes! Right hook, left hook and follows it up with a spinning back fist! Gorzecki hits the canvas like a rag doll! And just like that, this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Hallbjorn Hjorturson!