PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ernesto Gonzalez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pavel Lopes (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.

Gonzalez
vs
Lopes

202 cm
23
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 Tokyo, Ernesto Gonzalez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pavel Lopes!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Sosuke Kotani and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gonzalez gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gonzalez can't get the takedown.
Gonzalez is looking to break free of the clinch but Lopes has double underhooks.
Gonzalez looking for a takedown.
Gonzalez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Lopes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gonzalez prevents it.
A right hand to the body from Gonzalez.
Gonzalez has had enough of the clinch but Lopes keeps him there for the moment.

Lopes wants the takedown. Gonzalez is fighting it off but Lopes persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Gonzalez's guard against the cage.
Lopes postures up in Gonzalez's guard and throws a big left but Gonzalez blocks it.
Gonzalez manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Lopes really wants to buck Gonzalez off and get back to his feet.

Gonzalez wants to finish this one by submission but Lopes is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Gonzalez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzalez is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Gonzalez stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Lopes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Lopes closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Gonzalez did well to prevent Lopes getting side control.
Lopes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gonzalez tries to roll over but Lopes keeps him under control.
Gonzalez is breathing heavily.
Gonzalez wants to control but Lopes is keeping busy.
Lopes missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lopes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopes slips a nice elbow through Gonzalez's hands, connecting with Gonzalez's forehead.

Lopes seems to be looking for submissions.
Gonzalez is trying to get back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
No luck for Lopes with that takedown attempt.
Ernesto Gonzalez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pavel Lopes.
Gonzalez has his takedown stuffed

and Lopes counters with a shoot takedown. Gonzalez fights it but they end up in guard.
Lopes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lopes postures up and lands a big shot to Gonzalez's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gonzalez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lopes's guard.
Gonzalez trying to control the position from guard on top but Lopes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gonzalez is really struggling to control Lopes but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Lopes is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gonzalez is controlling him.

Lopes pushes Gonzalez off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Gonzalez gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gonzalez is pressed up against the cage. Lopes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Gonzalez down to the mat. Gonzalez avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gonzalez with a poor takedown

and Lopes counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Lopes prevents Gonzalez from improving his position.
Lopes not landing any meaningful shots this time.
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. Lopes connects with a nice short shot to Gonzalez's temple.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gonzalez trying to control here.
Lopes throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Lopes dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lopes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gonzalez but Gonzalez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gonzalez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Lopes counters with a takedown into side control.
Gonzalez is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gonzalez takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gonzalez is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Lopes is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Lopes cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopes landing punches.
Lopes putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Gonzalez tries to lock up and control but Lopes gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Lopes cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Pavel Lopes has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee warns Gonzalez that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Lopes with good strikes from the mount here!
Gonzalez tries to hold on but Lopes postures up.
Lopes postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gonzalez looks a forlorn figure.
Lopes lands a big elbow.
Lopes with shots to the head and body - Gonzalez looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopes avoids the attempt from Gonzalez to control.
Gonzalez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lopes lands a nice shot to the head.
Lopes lands a big shot there that rocks Gonzalez but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Gonzalez is wriggling around trying to escape.
Lopes lands a heavy elbow.
Gonzalez is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gonzalez holds on to Lopes around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopes in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Gonzalez tries to lock up and control but Lopes gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Lopes has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Gonzalez's face.

Lopes working for a submission but Gonzalez is keeping him at bay.
Lopes avoids the attempt from Gonzalez to control.
Gonzalez tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gonzalez is bucking up trying to escape but Lopes cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Gonzalez is wriggling around trying to escape.
A nice elbow there by Lopes.
Lopes punishing his opponent with strikes.
Lopes working Gonzalez over with strikes here.
Gonzalez slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Gonzalez wants to improve his position but Lopes is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Lopes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Lopes scores with a takedown into Gonzalez's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gonzalez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gonzalez working a defensive guard here.
Lopes throws a big right hand that misses.
Gonzalez is trying to keep Lopes in close.

Lopes 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.
Gonzalez has momentary wrist control but Lopes slips an elbow through the middle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzalez is trying to control the position but Lopes postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gonzalez is on top in guard.
Gonzalez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lopes wants to get back to his feet but Gonzalez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gonzalez trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lopes's guard.
Gonzalez tries to free his leg and advance position but Lopes is retaining full guard.

Gonzalez gets to his feet. Lopes looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gonzalez shoots and misses

and Lopes counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gonzalez is looking for a sweep. Lopes is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lopes missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gonzalez is trying to maintain the position but Lopes is very close to passing his half guard.
Lopes prevents Gonzalez from standing back up.
Lopes scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nice strikes from Lopes there.
Lopes missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lopes throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gonzalez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Lopes counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gonzalez won't be happy with that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez is looking for a sweep.
Gonzalez managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Lopes.
Gonzalez manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Gonzalez moves into full guard.
Gonzalez is trying to control the position but Lopes postures up.
Pavel Lopes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lopes content to stall in guard here.
Lopes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gonzalez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gonzalez keeping moving, preventing Lopes from controlling successfully.

Gonzalez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lopes defends well.
Lopes is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Lopes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gonzalez doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Lopes counters with a single leg into guard. Gonzalez didn't expect that.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pavel Lopes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lopes winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pavel Lopes!