PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor ITappedOut (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Link Gaetz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fedor ITappedOut is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

ITappedOut
vs
Gaetz

190 cm
22
217 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
19
212 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

WAR Combat Gear

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor ITappedOut!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Link Gaetz!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Igor Prikhodko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Gaetz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gaetz lands a jab to ITappedOut's midsection.
Gaetz misses with a low kick.
Link Gaetz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
ITappedOut shoots for a double leg takedown but Gaetz sprawls well. He's pushed ITappedOut's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gaetz has his takedown stuffed

and ITappedOut counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Gaetz!
Gaetz wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gaetz is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
ITappedOut can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gaetz is looking to escape.

ITappedOut goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Gaetz turns into him and now he's in ITappedOut's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gaetz wants to get up but he can't break ITappedOut's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ITappedOut is looking to sweep but instead, Gaetz has passed into half guard.
Gaetz prevents ITappedOut from improving his position.
ITappedOut connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Gaetz tries to stand and escape but ITappedOut is controlling the position.

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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

ITappedOut drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Gaetz is looking to stand up but ITappedOut isn't so interested in that idea.
ITappedOut pushing down on Gaetz's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
ITappedOut 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.
Gaetz has a hand on ITappedOut's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. ITappedOut takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Gaetz swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

ITappedOut is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Gaetz has managed to escape the submission attempt.
ITappedOut raining down shots from the mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ITappedOut working the ground and pound effectively.
Gaetz flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
ITappedOut has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Gaetz's face.

It looks like Link Gaetz has been cut.
ITappedOut unloading with bombs!

Gaetz is rocked!
Gaetz looks gassed!

ITappedOut looking to secure an arm triangle but Gaetz defends it well.
Gaetz is still in real trouble! Can ITappedOut finish him?

ITappedOut is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Gaetz has managed to escape the submission attempt.
ITappedOut lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

ITappedOut with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Gaetz seems to have recovered his senses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gaetz tries to hold on but ITappedOut pushes him away.
Gaetz is in a horrible position here. ITappedOut smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
ITappedOut cracks Gaetz with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

The cut above Link Gaetz's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
ITappedOut landing strikes, looking to finish!
Gaetz is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gaetz is bucking up trying to escape but ITappedOut cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

ITappedOut swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Gaetz is now in ITappedOut's guard. A big mistake from ITappedOut there, giving up the dominant position!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
ITappedOut wants to get back to his feet but Gaetz is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fedor ITappedOut dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Link Gaetz's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gaetz fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with ITappedOut, pushing him back against the cage.
ITappedOut is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Gaetz gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
ITappedOut is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gaetz pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Gaetz turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Gaetz manages to end up in side control.
ITappedOut is trying to control Gaetz's posture but Gaetz avoids it.
ITappedOut is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gaetz decides to take the fight back to the feet.

ITappedOut closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - ITappedOut lands in his opponent's guard.

ITappedOut is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Gaetz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but ITappedOut can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
ITappedOut scoring with punches to the head and body.
ITappedOut won't allow Gaetz to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaetz throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
ITappedOut lands a couple of digs.
ITappedOut trying to control but Gaetz is working from the bottom.
ITappedOut with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

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

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

Gaetz kicks ITappedOut off and gets to his feet.
Gaetz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from ITappedOut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor ITappedOut. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gaetz wants to clinch but ITappedOut slips to the side

and ITappedOut decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gaetz's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
ITappedOut stops Gaetz from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ITappedOut stands up over Gaetz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
ITappedOut working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gaetz's head.
ITappedOut stands up over Gaetz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
ITappedOut looking to pass the guard.
Gaetz looking for a sweep. Not yet Gaetz, not yet.
ITappedOut looking to pass the guard.
ITappedOut with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
ITappedOut misses with a takedown

and Gaetz counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gaetz.
ITappedOut takes a knee right on the jaw!
Gaetz is trying to force a seperation but ITappedOut has the dominant position.
Gaetz prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's four 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.
ITappedOut displaying some good clinch control by pressing Gaetz up against the cage.
ITappedOut wants to break free but Gaetz has control.

Gaetz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Gaetz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gaetz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. ITappedOut defends it nicely.

ITappedOut drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fedor ITappedOut overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gaetz trying to control the position.
ITappedOut preventing the sweep.
ITappedOut distracts Gaetz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
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 Fedor ITappedOut will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Link Gaetz's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

ITappedOut gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Gaetz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
ITappedOut changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gaetz tries to avoid it but ITappedOut manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gaetz to the ground. Gaetz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
ITappedOut keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Gaetz slaps away a takedown attempt from ITappedOut, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fedor ITappedOut is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
ITappedOut shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gaetz but Gaetz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor ITappedOut. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gaetz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaetz clinches but ITappedOut breaks the clinch

and ITappedOut counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gaetz's guard now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
ITappedOut chips away with some ground and pound.
ITappedOut working some strikes from top position.
ITappedOut looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaetz tries to strike from the bottom.
Gaetz can't keep his opponent in guard - ITappedOut advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
ITappedOut stops Gaetz from getting back to his feet.

ITappedOut is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gaetz wants to get back to his feet.
ITappedOut tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gaetz knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
ITappedOut working Gaetz over with strikes.
ITappedOut with the ground and pound but Gaetz uses the opportunity to regain guard.
ITappedOut has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Gaetz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. ITappedOut doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. ITappedOut manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaetz has momentary wrist control but ITappedOut slips an elbow through the middle.

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

Gaetz looking for a guillotine here but ITappedOut defends easily.
Gaetz keeping moving, preventing ITappedOut from controlling successfully.
ITappedOut cracks Gaetz with a solid left hand.

Gaetz is looking for a triangle but ITappedOut pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ITappedOut distracts Gaetz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
ITappedOut won't allow Gaetz to sweep him here.
ITappedOut passes Gaetz's left leg - he's now in half guard.
ITappedOut working over Gaetz with some ground and pound. Gaetz looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ground and pound from ITappedOut.
ITappedOut prevents Gaetz from standing back up.

Gaetz is defending against the submission attempts here by ITappedOut.
Gaetz is looking to improve his position.
Link Gaetz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Gaetz is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but ITappedOut pulls his head out easily.

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.
ITappedOut working Gaetz over with strikes.

ITappedOut is looking for a kimura but Gaetz is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for ITappedOut to get the leverage.
Gaetz is trying to stand up here but ITappedOut is controlling him well.
ITappedOut lands with a punch from half guard.
Gaetz flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

ITappedOut wants to work for an arm triangle but Gaetz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
ITappedOut missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
ITappedOut seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gaetz does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
ITappedOut missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fedor ITappedOut is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gaetz clinches but ITappedOut breaks the clinch

and ITappedOut counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gaetz's guard now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fedor ITappedOut showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for ITappedOut, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fedor ITappedOut!