PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between JT Spirit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jurek Gazownik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spirit comes into the arena with Nujabes - Feather blaring out of the sound system. Gazownik has chosen Spoon - Got Nuffin' as his entrance music. JT Spirit has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Spirit
vs
Gazownik

164 cm
22
132 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

150 cm
25
135 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, JT Spirit!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jurek Gazownik!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spirit clobbers Gazownik with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Spirit throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gazownik on the side of the head.

Gazownik drives through with a takedown into guard.
Spirit controls Gazownik momentarily but Gazownik frees himself.

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

Spirit looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gazownik trying to control but Spirit is working from the bottom.
Gazownik 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 one minute gone in the round.
Gazownik tries to free his leg and advance position but Spirit is retaining full guard.
Gazownik trying to control but Spirit is working from the bottom.
Spirit wants to sweep here but Gazownik controlling him for the moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Spirit ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gazownik swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Spirit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Spirit jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Spirit throws a nice looking combination but Gazownik bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Spirit throws a quick inside leg kick.

Gazownik closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Spirit to the mat! Spirit manages to get full guard.
Spirit looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Spirit working a defensive guard here.

Spirit is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gazownik defends well.
Spirit keeping full guard, as Gazownik tries to pass.
Gazownik wants to get up but he can't break Spirit's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gazownik trying to control the position from guard on top but Spirit is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gazownik pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Spirit is keeping the position for now.
Spirit keeping moving, preventing Gazownik from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Spirit lands a nice shot to the body.
Spirit stuns Gazownik with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Crunch! Spirit slams his shin into Gazownik's torso.
Spirit chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spirit with a jab.
Spirit misses with a double jab.
Spirit feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gazownik's calf.
Spirit misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Spirit throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gazownik on the side of the head.
Spirit connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Jab by Spirit.
Gazownik keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Spirit.

Spirit is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gazownik's half guard.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gazownik is looking to control Spirit's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gazownik avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JT Spirit dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Spirit has his takedown stuffed
and Gazownik counters with a right hand to the body.
Gazownik throws a sloppy head kick

and Spirit counters with a shoot takedown. Gazownik fights it but they end up in guard.
Gazownik being controlled here, momentarily.
Spirit trying to control the position from guard on top but Gazownik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spirit advances position into side control!
Gazownik is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spirit misses with the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gazownik is looking to reverse the position.
Gazownik gets back to half guard.
Gazownik moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Spirit tries to free his leg and advance position but Gazownik is retaining full guard.
Spirit landing with the ground and pound.
Gazownik not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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.
Gazownik might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Spirit kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Gazownik tries to land a sweep but no joy.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Gazownik takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Gazownik shoots in and drives through. Spirit sprawls well.
Gazownik is breathing heavily.
Spirit lands a high kick!
Spirit lets loose with a powerful body kick. Gazownik will feel that in the morning.
Nice defenses there by Gazownik.
Spirit looks to land a left hand but Gazownik moved out of range nicely.
Spirit lands with a slapping head kick.
Spirit is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Spirit shoots and misses

and Gazownik counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gazownik wants to control from the top but Spirit keeps moving.

Spirit throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Spirit is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gazownik wants to control from the top but Spirit keeps moving.
Gazownik advances to half guard.

That's four 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.
Gazownik perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Spirit moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Spirit is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gazownik defends well.
Gazownik tries to free his leg and advance position but Spirit is retaining full guard.

Spirit has his foot on Gazownik's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gazownik works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gazownik wanted to stand there but Spirit had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JT Spirit dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gazownik wants to clinch.
A swing and a miss from Spirit.
Gazownik tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Spirit counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gazownik is staying active underneath Spirit, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gazownik is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gazownik is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spirit looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Gazownik is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Spirit not doing much here.

Spirit is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gazownik doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Spirit.
Spirit trying to control from half guard but Gazownik is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gazownik makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gazownik.
Spirit stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gazownik swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Spirit thows a big elbow that misses.
Spirit advances to half guard.
Gazownik has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Spirit is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spirit seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Gazownik works his way to full guard. Good work.
Gazownik wants to sweep here but Spirit controlling him for the moment.
Spirit advances position into side control!
Gazownik tries to buck Spirit off but Spirit is having none of it.

Spirit working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gazownik wants to control but Spirit postures up.
An elbow from Spirit crashes against the mat.
Gazownik managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Spirit.
Spirit is looking to take a break and control but Gazownik is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Spirit landing strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gazownik is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Spirit is keen to just control but Gazownik is a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JT Spirit clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Spirit throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Spirit scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
JT Spirit seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gazownik tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Spirit counters with a nice uppercut.
Gazownik closes the distance but Spirit moves to the side
and Spirit counters with a nice uppercut.
Jab from Spirit.
Spirit moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gazownik takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Gazownik fails in his attempt to clinch.

Gazownik looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Spirit throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spirit controls Gazownik momentarily but Gazownik frees himself.
Spirit keeping moving, preventing Gazownik from controlling successfully.
Spirit keeping full guard, as Gazownik tries to pass.

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.
Spirit tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gazownik wants to control from the top but Spirit keeps moving.
Gazownik trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Gazownik tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Gazownik closes the distance looking to clinch
and Spirit counters with a good low kick that Gazownik was not able to check.
Gazownik throws a leg kick that is checked
and Spirit counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gazownik fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gazownik throws a leg kick
and Spirit counters with a stiff right hand.
Gazownik on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Spirit. Spirit obviously looking to wear him down.
Gazownik shoots in for a takedown but Spirit shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A good leg kick by Spirit.
Gazownik is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Spirit is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A good leg kick by Spirit.
Spirit misses the jab.
Spirit connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Spirit moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spirit stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Spirit thuds a left hand into Gazownik's body.
Spirit lands a nice shot to the body.
Spirit darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Spirit throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Gazownik takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Spirit. Gazownik shrugs it off though.
Gazownik displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Spirit.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spirit moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JT Spirit had his way with Jurek Gazownik in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Spirit lands with a kick to the ribs.
Jab, jab by Spirit - just one landing.
Spirit lands a jab.
JT Spirit is winning the standup battle so far.
Gazownik takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A solid leg kick lands there for Spirit.
Gazownik has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Spirit.
Good leg kick by Spirit there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A swing and a miss from Gazownik.
Spirit tests Gazownik's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Spirit is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Gazownik shoots in looking for a takedown. Spirit tries to sprawl out of it but Gazownik keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spirit manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gazownik is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spirit circles away from the clinch attempt.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Gazownik checks a leg kick.
Spirit scores with a push kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Spirit.
Spirit connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gazownik with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Spirit to score with a decent uppercut.
A nice inside leg kick there by Spirit. That's going to slow Gazownik down.
Gazownik drops his hands momentarily and Spirit takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Spirit.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Spirit. Gazownik shrugs it off though.
Spirit is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gazownik sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Spirit tries to score with a low kick but Gazownik moves his leg out of the way.
Spirit thows a body kick. Gazownik tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Spirit cracks Gazownik with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Spirit throws a nice outside leg kick.
Spirit throws a nice looking combination but Gazownik bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Spirit scores with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spirit looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Spirit stands up over Gazownik, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gazownik is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
JT Spirit is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Spirit gets back to full guard.

Spirit escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gazownik gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gazownik won't allow Spirit to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gazownik looking to pass the guard.
Gazownik throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gazownik works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Spirit is trying to control but can't.
Gazownik is keen to just control but Spirit is a slippery customer.
Spirit is controlling Gazownik's position as best he can from this difficult position.

And that's the end of the fight!
JT Spirit showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Spirit has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 50:45
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... JT Spirit!
JT Spirit retains his bantamweight title!