PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gerard Forelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Kaplan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gerard Forelli could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Joe Kaplan's chin.

Forelli
vs
Kaplan

201 cm
26
255 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

185 cm
25
252 lbs
5 - 5 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gerard Forelli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Kaplan!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaplan looks to land a combination but Forelli avoids it well.

Forelli forces Kaplan back against the cage and clinches.
Kaplan tries to throw a body punch but Forelli avoids it by throwing Kaplan back against the cage.
Kaplan wants to get back to striking at distance but Forelli won't allow it.
Forelli keeps control of Kaplan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kaplan takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Joe Kaplan has been cut.
Kaplan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kaplan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kaplan wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Forelli has him pressed against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kaplan.
Forelli looking for a takedown.
Kaplan controlling the action here for a moment.
Kaplan is pressed up against the cage. Forelli has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kaplan down to the mat. Kaplan avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaplan darts in trying to clinch
and Forelli counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kaplan thinking.
Kaplan moves to clinch but Forelli breaks away

and Forelli counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Forelli.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Forelli drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kaplan pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gerard Forelli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Forelli misses with a few strikes there.
Forelli scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Joe Kaplan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kaplan darts in trying to clinch

and Forelli counters with a takedown into side control.
Kaplan keeping his opponent close.
Kaplan manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kaplan looks to land a strike but Forelli avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Forelli drops Kaplan with a beautiful combination! Kaplan stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Forelli is looking for the KO!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kaplan feints a jab promting Forelli to slip. Kaplan then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Forelli slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Gerard Forelli has been cut.
Kaplan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Forelli counters with a nice uppercut.

That has opened up Joe Kaplan's cut even more.
Kaplan looks gassed!
Forelli connects with a right that clearly hurt Kaplan. He's backed up against the cage with nowhere to go as Forelli proceeds to tee off with vicious combinations till Kaplan collapses and taps out under the pressure!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Gerard Forelli!