PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Febra Velascez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Derek Gigandet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Velascez
vs
Gigandet

175 cm
25
154 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Febra Velascez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Derek Gigandet!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velascez moves forwards but Gigandet connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Gigandet blocks a jab.
Gigandet misses with a double jab.
Gigandet throws a nice looking combination but Velascez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gigandet throws an overhand right that lands on Velascez's shoulder, as Velascez tries to avoid the shot.
Gigandet dives in and grabs Velascez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Velascez pushes down on Gigandet's head and hops out.
A jab from Velascez does it's job there.

It looks like Derek Gigandet has been cut.
Velascez looks to land a combination but Gigandet avoids it well.
Velascez fails to land with a series of punches.
A telegraphed right hand from Velascez misses the target.
Velascez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gigandet fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Velascez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Gigandet misses with a two punch combination.
Velascez misses with a double jab

and Gigandet counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gigandet is pressing down on Velascez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Velascez is holding on for now.
Gigandet thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Velascez to regain full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Velascez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velascez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Velascez is breathing heavily.
Gigandet postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gigandet trying to control the position from guard on top but Velascez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gigandet drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gigandet jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gigandet with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gigandet throws a big right hand that misses.

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.
Gigandet trying to control but Velascez is working from the bottom.
Velascez wants to stand up but Gigandet is controlling him.
Gigandet would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Gigandet working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gigandet trying to control but Velascez is working from the bottom.
Velascez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gigandet trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Velascez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Velascez wants to stand and escape but Gigandet is having none of it.
Gigandet throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gigandet accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gigandet trying to control but Velascez is working from the bottom.
Gigandet in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Velascez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gigandet on the ground.

That's four 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.
Gigandet trying to control the position from guard on top but Velascez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Velascez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gigandet working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gigandet accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Velascez is trying to keep Gigandet in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Velascez rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gigandet counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Velascez is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Gigandet lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Velascez circles away quickly and effectively.
Velascez throws a series of punches but Gigandet avoids them all with ease.
Gigandet shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Velascez eats them both and turns towards Gigandet to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Velascez has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Velascez there as he acknowledges the shot.
Gigandet scores with the left hand. Velascez knows he should have avoided that one.

Gigandet shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Gigandet is keen to just control but Velascez is a slippery customer.
Gigandet has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Velascez is looking to escape.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Gigandet not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gigandet is looking to advance position but Velascez won't allow it.
Gigandet thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gigandet prevents Velascez from improving his position.
Gigandet seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Velascez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Velascez pushes Gigandet off looking to stand but Gigandet dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nice strikes from Gigandet there.
Gigandet thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gigandet is looking to advance position but Velascez won't allow it.

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.
Velascez is trying to stand up here but Gigandet is controlling him well.
Nice strikes from Gigandet there.
Gigandet is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Velascez is not content to let Gigandet control the position.
Gigandet sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Velascez defending well though.
Velascez is staying active underneath Gigandet, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Velascez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velascez is trying to stand up here but Gigandet is controlling him well.
Gigandet lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Gigandet passes the guard and advances to mount!
Gigandet pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's four 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.
Gigandet throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Gigandet sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Gigandet fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Gigandet throws some wild stikes that Velascez manages to avoid easily.
Gigandet looking to control but Velascez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Velascez is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Velascez holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Gigandet tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Gigandet controlling from the full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derek Gigandet showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Derek Gigandet's cut.
That's time! Velascez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Velascez moves out of range of the strikes.
The fighters circling - Velascez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Velascez misses with a right hand

and Gigandet decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Velascez's guard.
Gigandet trying to control but Velascez is working from the bottom.
Velascez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gigandet won't allow Velascez to sweep him here.
Gigandet in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gigandet thows a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gigandet postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gigandet throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gigandet trying to control the position from guard on top but Velascez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gigandet's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gigandet is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gigandet tries to stand but Velascez is controlling from the bottom.
Gigandet with a nice head shot there.
Gigandet postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

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.
Velascez keeping moving, preventing Gigandet from controlling successfully.
Gigandet postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gigandet throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gigandet postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Velascez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gigandet missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gigandet with a flurry of punches that miss.
Velascez wants to sweep here but Gigandet controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gigandet stops Velascez from standing up.
Gigandet cracks Velascez with a solid left hand.
Velascez 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.
Gigandet wants to control from the top but Velascez keeps moving.
Gigandet working some strikes from top position.
Gigandet trying to control but Velascez is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gigandet postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Velascez uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Febra Velascez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Velascez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Velascez misses with a right hand
and Gigandet counters with a nice leg kick.
Velascez missing with a left hand there. Gigandet was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gigandet fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A head kick from Gigandet lands but Velascez takes it in his stride.
Gigandet fails in his attempt to clinch.
Febra Velascez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Velascez misses with a hook.
Velascez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gigandet.
Velascez is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Velascez blocks a jab.
Febra Velascez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gigandet slips a jab and a cross from Velascez.

And that's the end of the fight!
Derek Gigandet comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gigandet 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Derek Gigandet!