PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Benten Gogul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirko CroKick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Gogul
vs
CroKick

195 cm
18
280 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Benten Gogul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Mirko CroKick!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Richard Clark and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gogul avoids the head kick by CroKick.
CroKick closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gogul circles away.
Gogul leaves CroKick with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
CroKick tries to clinch but Gogul moves out of range.
CroKick tries to close the distance and clinch but Gogul swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
CroKick scores with a kick to the body.
Gogul moves in looking to clinch but CroKick pushes him off.

CroKick has Gogul up against the cage in a clinch.

CroKick has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Gogul uses from the top position.
Gogul trying to stand up but can't free himself from CroKick's guard.
CroKick 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.
CroKick pulls Gogul in close to prevent any damage.
Gogul preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

CroKick looking for a guillotine here but Gogul defends easily.
Gogul pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. CroKick is keeping the position for now.
CroKick wants to sweep here but Gogul controlling him for the moment.
Gogul's corner is telling him to maintain position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

CroKick gets a takedown into half guard.
Gogul wants to improve his position but CroKick is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gogul looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
CroKick thows a huge punch but Gogul dodges it nicely.
Gogul wants to get back to full guard.
CroKick seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gogul does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
CroKick tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gogul knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
CroKick seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gogul does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gogul misses with a double jab.
Gogul misses with a double jab.

Gogul forces CroKick back against the cage and clinches.

CroKick breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gogul stuffs the takedown attempt from CroKick. CroKick gets slowly back to his feet.
Benten Gogul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mirko CroKick.
CroKick looks gassed!
CroKick tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
CroKick moves in looking to clinch but Gogul pushes him off.
CroKick tries to clinch up but Gogul circles away and keeps his distance.
CroKick fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
CroKick changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gogul tries to avoid it but CroKick manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gogul to the ground. Gogul escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Gogul clinches up with CroKick and pushes him back against the cage.

Gogul has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics CroKick uses from the top position.
CroKick must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gogul is wriggling around but CroKick manages to pass to half guard.
Gogul makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gogul.
CroKick stops Gogul from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko CroKick dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gogul moves into the clinch successfully.

Gogul's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
CroKick fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
CroKick fails with a takedown attempt.
Gogul takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Gogul shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches CroKick napping and manages to drive through into side control!
CroKick is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on CroKick's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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.
CroKick can't do much from the bottom here.
Gogul could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Gogul is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, CroKick has escaped the position, nice work there.

Gogul wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by CroKick, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
CroKick is not content to let Gogul control the position.
CroKick struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Gogul goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, CroKick has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Gogul but great work by CroKick.

CroKick tries for a kimura but Gogul is defending well.
Gogul wants to get back to his feet.
CroKick advances to full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
CroKick throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Gogul because CroKick loaded up on that one.
CroKick takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Gogul is squirming around, avoiding CroKick's attempts to control the action.
CroKick is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

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.
CroKick is trying to control here but Gogul has managed to regain half guard.
CroKick is just content to waste time from the top position. Gogul takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

Gogul wriggles free and stands up.
CroKick tries to clinch but Gogul moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benten Gogul dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gogul scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
CroKick wants to control but Gogul postures up.
CroKick is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gogul cracks CroKick with a big elbow.
CroKick tries to buck Gogul off but Gogul is having none of it.
Gogul works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Gogul is looking to take a break and control but CroKick is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
An elbow from Gogul crashes against the mat.
CroKick takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gogul stands up.
CroKick gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gogul counters with an inside leg kick.
Benten Gogul is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Gogul gets a takedown into half guard.
Well, if Gogul is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Gogul wants to control but CroKick is keeping him busy.
Gogul perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Gogul is just content to waste time from the top position. CroKick takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
CroKick keeping moving, preventing Gogul from controlling successfully.
Gogul postures up in CroKick's guard and throws a big left but CroKick blocks it.
CroKick tries to land a sweep but no joy.
CroKick working a defensive guard here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gogul doesn't succeed with the takedown

and CroKick counters with a nice double leg into guard.
CroKick trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
CroKick wants to control from the top but Gogul keeps moving.
CroKick pushes down on Gogul's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gogul wants to get back to his feet.
Gogul trying to control here.

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.

CroKick decides to return to a standing position.
CroKick avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

CroKick clinches up with Gogul and pushes him back against the cage.

Gogul manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Gogul throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
CroKick stopping the sweep attempt from Gogul.

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 Benten Gogul.
I think Gogul 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benten Gogul!