PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tap Out (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jermaine Gersham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gersham is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Scorpions - Rock you like a hurricane. 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.

Out
vs
Gersham

170 cm
20
210 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

187 cm
21
212 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tap Out!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jermaine Gersham!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Summer Carpenter and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gersham is looking to clinch.
Out shoots in looking for a takedown but Gersham manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Out's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gersham throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Out stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Out.
Out changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gersham tries to avoid it but Out manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gersham to the ground. Gersham escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tap Out. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gersham misses with a wild body shot.
Jermaine Gersham seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Out fails to land the takedown.
Gersham stuffs the takedown.
Gersham throws a series of punches but Out avoids them all with ease.
Out thows a body shot but no joy.
Gersham swings widly with a right hand
and Out counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Gersham thinking.
Out throws out a leg kick but Gersham moves out of range and Out only half commits.
Out circles away from the clinch attempt.
Out works Gersham's body with a nice hook.

Gersham fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Out, pushing him back against the cage.
Gersham gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Gersham tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Out takes a knee to the side of the body.
Out tries to pull guard but Gersham holds him up against the cage and eventually Out drops back down to his feet.
Out wants a takedown.
Out is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but Out blocks with his arms.
Gersham looking to throw knees to the head but Out is blocking nicely.
Out wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gersham has him pressed against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gersham.
Out drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gersham pulls his leg out and moves away.

Oooooh!!! Gersham has knocked Out down with a huge combo! Gersham steps away and waves a wobbly Out back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

It looks like Tap Out has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gersham wants to clinch up but Out keeps it at a distance.
Gersham fails to land with a series of punches.

Out shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gersham's guard.
Gersham trying to control the position.
Out is looking to stand up but Gersham won't let him.
Gersham wants to sweep here but Out controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Out tries to stand but Gersham is controlling from the bottom.
Gersham not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Out wants to control from the top but Gersham keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Tap Out just wasn't active enough.
Out with a poor takedown
and Out takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Out shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gersham defends it nicely.
Gersham throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Out's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gersham darts in and clinches Out up against the cage.
Gersham with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gersham prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gersham putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Out in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Out takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nice elbow from Gersham.
Gersham scores a nice knee to the body.
Gersham connects with a nasty looking knee right to Out's face.
Gersham unloads a knee to the mid-section. Out lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Gersham landing knees to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Gersham obliges.
Gersham connects with a nasty looking knee right to Out's face.
Gersham lands a knee to the head.
Gersham lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gersham landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Gersham is pressed up against the cage. Out has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Gersham down to the mat. Gersham avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Out showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gersham.
Gersham tries to bum rush Out with a series of wild strikes but Out uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gersham misses with a body punch

so Out counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Out advances position into side control!

Out decides to stand back up. Out steps back and let's Gersham get back to his feet.
Out ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gersham moves away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gersham!
Out lands a really nice looking cross but Gersham seems unphased.
Out jabs Gersham right on the nose. Gersham blinks but takes it well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gersham falls off balance throwing a combination
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Out counters with a nice uppercut.
Gersham blocks a jab.
Gersham explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermaine Gersham dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tap Out's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

No joy there for Gersham, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gersham lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Out backs up against the cage.

Gersham darts in and clinches Out up against the cage.
Gersham scores with a knee to the head.
Nice elbow from Gersham.
Gersham lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gersham lands a knee to the head.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gersham prevents the takedown attempt.
Gersham tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gersham throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Out blocks it with crossed arms.
Out is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gersham pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Gersham connects with a nasty looking knee right to Out's face.
Out tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tap Out. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gersham comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gersham with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gersham tries a knee to the head but Out blocks it.
Out drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gersham prevents the takedown attempt.
Gersham landing knees to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Gersham obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Out has Gersham pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gersham manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Out has Gersham pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gersham manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Gersham connects with a knee to the head.
Gersham tries a knee to the head but Out blocks it.
Gersham connects with a knee to the head.
A frustrated look appears on Out's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gersham misses with a knee to the head.
Gersham with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Out looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gersham gets underhooks to prevent Out's takedown attempt.
Gersham utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Out blocks the elbow strike.
Out drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gersham pulls his leg out and moves away.
Gersham lands a right hook to the body.
Gersham chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Gersham throws a combination that misses

and Out counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Gersham!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Out unloading with bombs!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gersham is trying to escape the mount.
Gersham taking shots to the head.
Gersham really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Out. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Out sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Out postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gersham looks a forlorn figure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Out working the ground and pound effectively.

Out goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Gersham is on top in guard.
Out might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Out is trying to control the position but Gersham postures up.
Gersham must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Out looking to control but Gersham passes into half guard.
Gersham thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Out's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Out looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Out keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gersham thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Out's head.
Gersham missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gersham missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Out blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gersham.
Out is pressing down on Gersham's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Out wants to get back to his feet but Gersham is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Out trying to control the position.
Out lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gersham!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jermaine Gersham will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Tap Out's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gersham gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Out tries to pull guard but Gersham holds him up against the cage and eventually Out drops back down to his feet.
Out changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gersham fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Out shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tap Out. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Out takes one on the button.

Out closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Out lands in his opponent's guard.
Gersham is controlling Out's posture.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Out throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Out postures up in Gersham's guard and throws a big left but Gersham blocks it.
Out wants to control from the top but Gersham keeps moving.
Gersham tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Out trying to control but Gersham is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Tap Out just wasn't active enough.

Gersham clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gersham keeps control of Out as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gersham lands a knee to the head.
Out tries to pull guard but Gersham holds him up against the cage and eventually Out drops back down to his feet.
Gersham prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gersham using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Gersham gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Gersham landing knees to the head.
Gersham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A knee to the head by Gersham.
Gersham landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gersham.
Gersham throws a knee to the head but misses.
Out can't get the takedown.
Jermaine Gersham seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gersham lands a knee to the head.
Gersham throws an elbow that misses.
Out avoids a wild elbow strike from Gersham.
Out tries to score a body lock takedown but Gersham shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Out takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gersham with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gersham lands a damaging elbow.
Gersham stops a takedown attempt from Out.
Gersham throws a knee to the head but misses.
Out blocks the elbow strike.
Out is working for takedown but Gersham is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gersham connects with a nasty looking knee right to Out's face.
Out has Gersham pushed against the cage.
Gersham connects with a knee to the head.
Gersham gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Out.
Gersham comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Out tries for a takedown but Gersham manages to get underhooks.
Gersham with a knee to the head.
Gersham unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Out avoids a wild elbow strike from Gersham.
Out tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gersham lands a good knee to the midsection. Out won't want to take too many of those.
Out fails to pull guard.
Out wants a takedown but no success here.
Gersham landing knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Gersham.
Gersham lands an elbow inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Out jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Gersham walks away with a smile on his face. Out gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Gersham lands a nice looking body shot.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Gersham enables Out to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gersham manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Out throws a big right hand that misses.
Out trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gersham's guard.
Gersham not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Out is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gersham can do anything to dispel that myth.
Out throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermaine Gersham really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tap Out's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Out.
Good standup being displayed there by Gersham as he connects with a hook.
A shot to the body from Gersham misses
and Out counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Gersham swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Out counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Out shoots in for a takedown but Gersham shows good takedown defense.
Out ducks right into an uppercut from Gersham.
Out looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gersham is fending him off so far but Out persists. Nope, Gersham circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tap Out. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gersham jabs at Out's body.
Gersham throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gersham is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Out rather than just go for the knockout.

Gersham moves into the clinch.
Out drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gersham misses with a knee strike.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Gersham lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Out is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gersham pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Knees in the clinch landing for Gersham.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gersham lands a knee to the head.
Gersham stops a takedown attempt from Out.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Out blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Out managing to block the knees to the body from Gersham.
Out changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gersham fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Out ducks right into an uppercut from Gersham.
Jermaine Gersham seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gersham falls off balance throwing a combination
and Out counters with a series of strikes. Gersham will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nice sprawl there from Gersham as Out shoots in.
Gersham fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gersham throws a hook but Out blocks it.
Out shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gersham as he avoids it easily.
Gersham throws a left and a right that both miss

and Out counters with a single leg into guard. Gersham didn't expect that.
Gersham avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Out trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gersham is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gersham utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Out stands up from Gersham's guard - Out perhaps looking for a knockout.
Gersham has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Out shoots in but Gersham avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gersham just misses with a punch to the body.
Some wild striking there from Gersham.
Jermaine Gersham is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Out uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gersham.
Gersham misses the body punch

and Out counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Out wants to stand up but Gersham is controlling the position.
Out has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Out controlling the action here.
Out moves into full mount! Gersham won't be happy about that!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Out landing shots from mount.

Gersham defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Out.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gersham in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tap Out had his way with Jermaine Gersham in that round.
The cut man is working on Tap Out's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Gersham enables Out to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gersham manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Out stands up from Gersham's guard - Out perhaps looking for a knockout.
Out misses with a two punch combination.
Out shoots in but no luck this time.
Gersham throws a sloppy head kick and Out moves out of range easily.

Gersham closes the distance and clinches.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gersham unloads a knee to the mid-section. Out lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Out takes a knee right on the jaw!
Gersham creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Out's defenses.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but Out blocks with his arms.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gersham.
A knee to the head by Gersham.
Out fails to pull guard.
Gersham connects with a nasty looking knee right to Out's face.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Out tries to score a body lock takedown but Gersham shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tap Out. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gersham connects with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gersham lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Out tries for a takedown but Gersham manages to get underhooks.
Gersham gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Out avoids the elbow strike from Gersham, against the cage.
Gersham misses with a knee strike.
Gersham tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Out is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gersham lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Gersham obliges.
Out tries to score a body lock takedown but Gersham shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gersham with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gersham looking to throw knees to the head but Out is blocking nicely.
Gersham is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Out is defending well for now.
Out fails to pull guard.
Out tries to pull guard but Gersham won't allow it.
Gersham landing knees to the head.
Gersham working Out over with knees to the body.
Out looking for a takedown.
Gersham lands a knee to the body.
Gersham with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but Out blocks with his arms.
Out wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Out tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

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.
Out can't get the takedown.
Out goes for a takedown attempt but Gersham pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gersham dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gersham misses with a body shot.

Out scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Out thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gersham is not content to let Out control the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Out thows a huge punch but Gersham dodges it nicely.
Out controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tap Out wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Out circles away from the clinch attempt.
Out throws a combination that misses
and Gersham counters with an inside leg kick.
Out tries for a takedown but Gersham sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gersham digs a good body shot into Out's ribs.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Gersham.
Out shoots in for a double leg but Gersham sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Out takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gersham lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Out circles away quickly and effectively.
Out misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gersham is looking to clinch but Out is avoiding it.
Gersham misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Out.
Gersham connects with a single shot there.

Gersham darts in and clinches Out up against the cage.
Gersham with a knee to the head.
Gersham misses with a knee strike.
Out is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gersham pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Out tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jermaine Gersham is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gersham landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Out looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gersham lands a nice elbow.
Out tries to pull guard but Gersham won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gersham lands a knee to the head.
Out avoids the elbow strike from Gersham, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gersham just misses with a elbow thrown towards Out's brow.
Tap Out has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gersham connects with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jermaine Gersham comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gersham 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 46:49
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 46:49
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jermaine Gersham!
Jermaine Gersham is the new light heavyweight champion!