PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Joseph (ranked 6278 p4p, 24719 weight class) and Augustus Gadela (ranked 631 p4p, 689 weight class). The key to victory for Joseph Joseph has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Joseph
vs
Gadela

180 cm
21
173
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
22
178
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joseph Joseph!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Augustus Gadela!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Chris Dean and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Joseph.

Joseph gets tackled into the cage by Gadela. Gadela maintains the clinch.

Gadela pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Joseph wants to stand but Gadela has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Joseph won't allow Gadela to get back to his feet.

Gadela had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Joseph defends it easily.
Gadela has Joseph pulled in close to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joseph wants to control from the top but Gadela keeps moving.
Gadela utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gadela is adopting a defensive guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

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

Joseph clinches up with Gadela and pushes him back against the cage.
Joseph has had enough of the clinch but Gadela keeps him there for the moment.
Gadela gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Joseph.

Gadela has picked Joseph up - he's going for a ride! Gadela dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joseph is looking for a sweep. Gadela is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Joseph trying to control from the bottom.
Gadela trying to control the action but Joseph is working from the bottom.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gadela connects with a nice short shot to Joseph's temple.
Joseph trying to control from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gadela in particular looking to stall.
Gadela missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joseph is trying to get back to full guard.
Joseph trying to control but Gadela postures up.
Gadela looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
It looks like Gadela might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Joseph shoots and misses

and Gadela counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Joseph!

Joseph bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Gadela gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gadela keeps control of Joseph as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gadela wants to get back to striking at distance but Joseph won't allow it.
Joseph working hard to break the clinch.
Joseph with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Gadela manages to break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Joseph lands a high kick!
Gadela takes one on the button.
Joseph moves in looking to clinch but Gadela pushes him off.
Gadela is looking for the big counter here.
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 Joseph Joseph 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.

Joseph clinches.
Joseph changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gadela fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Joseph.

Gadela rushes Joseph and presses him up against the cage.
Joseph is looking to take this one to the mat.
Joseph tries a body shot but Gadela blocks it.
Gadela throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Gadela wants to break free but Joseph has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joseph struggles to land a body shot inside as Gadela controls his hands.

Joseph pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Joseph slips a jab and a cross from Gadela.

Gadela shoots in and bounces Joseph off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gadela wants to stand but Joseph has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Gadela slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Joseph has a closed guard, preventing Gadela from standing up.
Gadela is stalling in the full guard.
Gadela distracts Joseph with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two 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.
Joseph being controlled here, momentarily.
Augustus Gadela has got the better of the ground game so far.

Joseph working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gadela doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gadela manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Joseph wants to get back to his feet but Gadela is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A slapping leg kick lands for Joseph.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gadela clinches.
Gadela is working for takedown but Joseph is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gadela manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Joseph is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joseph Joseph. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gadela is trying to trip Joseph. He has hold of a leg but Joseph is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Gadela persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Joseph is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Gadela drops down looking for an ankle pick but Joseph pulls his leg out and moves away.

Joseph shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Gadela napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Gadela throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Joseph lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Gadela moves into the clinch successfully.
Joseph is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Gadela stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Joseph managing to block the knees to the body from Gadela.

Gadela breaks from the clinch.
Joseph swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Gadela counters with a single leg into guard. Joseph didn't expect that.
Joseph 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Augustus Gadela showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Joseph misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Gadela drives through and clinches with Joseph against the cage.
Gadela has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Joseph is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Joseph is trying to pull guard but Gadela turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Joseph goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gadela prevents it.

Gadela has Joseph pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Gadela pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Joseph tumbling to the mat - Gadela dives into Joseph's guard.
Gadela won't allow Joseph to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joseph trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gadela wants to stand but Joseph has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Gadela slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Joseph is trying to control the position but Gadela postures up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Gadela working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Joseph's head.
Gadela scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gadela in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gadela prevents Joseph from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Gadela clinches up against the cage.
Joseph is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Joseph manages to break the clinch.
Gadela shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Joseph pinned against the cage. Joseph gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Gadela gets a clinch.

Gadela pulls guard effortlessly.
Joseph's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gadela striking off his back but it's not causing Joseph any problems.

Gadela is working an open guard so Joseph takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Joseph darts in and clinches Gadela up against the cage.
Gadela is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Joseph gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Joseph Joseph has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Augustus Gadela.
Gadela is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Joseph manages to break the clinch.
Joseph misses with a double jab.

Gadela pushes Joseph up against the cage in a clinch.
Gadela slowing the pace effectively.
Stalling in the clinch from Joseph.

Gadela decides to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gadela wants to sweep but no luck.
Joseph trying to control the position from guard on top but Gadela is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gadela can do anything to dispel that myth.
Joseph has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Gadela is proving hard to escape from.
Joseph trying to control the position from guard on top but Gadela is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gadela is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Joseph stopping the sweep attempt from Gadela.

And that's the end of the fight!
Augustus Gadela comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gadela has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Augustus Gadela!
Augustus Gadela bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.