PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Aadilou Ankutse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Gallagher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ankutse comes to the cage accompanied by i ka kane . The crowd seem to be enjoying Gallagher's choice of entrance music: Bloods & Crips - Steady Dippin. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Ankutse
vs
Gallagher

168 cm
19
149 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aadilou Ankutse!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frank Gallagher!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Jorge Garcia and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gallagher shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Gallagher scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ankutse is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gallagher postures up and lands a big shot to Ankutse's brow.
Gallagher sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ankutse looking to control.

Ankutse is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gallagher trying to control the position from guard on top but Ankutse is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gallagher stopping the sweep attempt from Ankutse.
Gallagher is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ankutse trying to control the position.
Gallagher passes Ankutse's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ankutse is staying active underneath Gallagher, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ankutse throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ankutse has hold of Gallagher's hands but Gallagher slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gallagher working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Gallagher slips a nice elbow through Ankutse's hands, connecting with Ankutse's forehead.
Gallagher performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Gallagher wants to pass the guard but Ankutse is defending well.
Gallagher controlling the pace.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ankutse is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gallagher pulls his head out easily.
Gallagher is taking a breather. Ankutse says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Ankutse is trying to stand up here but Gallagher is controlling him well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

OK we're going to have a standup here. Frank Gallagher hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Ankutse shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Gallagher counters with a takedown into side control.
Ankutse is trying to improve his position.
A lull in the action here as Gallagher stalls from top position.
It looks like Gallagher might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Frank Gallagher hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Gallagher darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Ankutse has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gallagher is working away from the top position though.
Gallagher looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ankutse with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Ankutse looking for submissions off his back.
Gallagher wants to free his trapped foot but Ankutse is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ankutse is pressing down on Gallagher's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gallagher content to stall in guard here.
Gallagher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gallagher must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Ankutse throws his legs up looking for a submission but Gallagher uses it to pass to side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ankutse stops Gallagher from passing to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gallagher controls the position.
Gallagher grinds an elbow into Ankutse's temple.
Gallagher remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ankutse shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gallagher as he jumps to the side.
Gallagher just misses with a punch to the body.
Gallagher cracks a nice hook into Ankutse's ribs.
Ankutse defending well as Gallagher loads up on a big left hand.
Ankutse shoots in for a double leg but Gallagher sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ankutse has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gallagher finds it's way round the side to connect with Ankutse's head.

Gallagher closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gallagher lands in his opponent's guard.

Ankutse working for a triangle but Gallagher defends it easily.
Gallagher really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ankutse. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gallagher wants to control from the top but Ankutse keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ankutse can't keep his opponent in guard - Gallagher advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gallagher looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Gallagher wants to control but Ankutse is keeping him busy.
Gallagher is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Gallagher wants to pass the guard but Ankutse is defending well.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Gallagher looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Frank Gallagher wasn't active enough on the ground.
Ankutse fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gallagher avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aadilou Ankutse. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ankutse with a poor takedown
and Gallagher counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ankutse shoots in for a takedown but Gallagher shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Gallagher drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A lull in the action here as Gallagher stalls from top position.
Ankutse struggling a bit here.
Gallagher tries to move into full mount but can't pass Ankutse's legs.
Ankutse is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Gallagher wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ankutse keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher staying calm.
Ankutse struggling a bit here.
Gallagher is staying tight to Ankutse's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Gallagher landing strikes.
Gallagher has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gallagher wants to control but Ankutse is keeping him busy.
Gallagher scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Ankutse to see if he's OK.
Gallagher controls the position from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher tries to advance to mount but Ankutse denies him.
Gallagher connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ankutse some visible discomfort.
Ankutse stops Gallagher from passing to mount.
Gallagher wants to control but Ankutse is keeping him busy.
Ankutse manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gallagher's best efforts.
Ankutse regains full guard. Nicely done.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gallagher slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Ankutse throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Gallagher escapes and throws Ankutse's legs to the side, diving into side control!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gallagher landing strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Gallagher showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Gallagher misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ankutse.
Gallagher slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Gallagher misses with a straight left.
Nice sprawl there from Gallagher as Ankutse shoots in.

Ankutse gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gallagher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Ankutse escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gallagher gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ankutse trying to control the position.
Gallagher trying to control but Ankutse is working from the bottom.
Gallagher wants to pass the guard but Ankutse is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ankutse manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Gallagher wants to control but Ankutse is having none of it.
Gallagher can't escape the position.
Ankutse lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Gallagher gets back to half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gallagher can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gallagher is looking to get back to full guard here but Ankutse has managed to pass to side control instead.
Gallagher is trying to work for a sweep but Ankutse has mounted him!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ankutse looking to control but Gallagher is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Gallagher is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ankutse looking to ground and pound but Gallagher is blocking nicely.
Frank Gallagher has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ankutse looking to finish with strikes here!
Ankutse trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gallagher manages to control the position for a moment.
Gallagher keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gallagher wants to hold on but Ankutse pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ankutse looking to finish with strikes here!
Gallagher throwing punches from his back. He's mounted here but still fighting back.
Gallagher sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gallagher manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Gallagher working a defensive guard here.
Ankutse distracts Gallagher with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ankutse postures up.
Gallagher looking for a sweep. Not yet Gallagher, not yet.
Gallagher is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ankutse trying to control the position from guard on top but Gallagher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gallagher lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ankutse!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher controlling the pace for now.
Frank Gallagher is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ankutse tries to hold on but Gallagher pushes him away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ankutse is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Gallagher is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gallagher controlling from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ankutse is looking to get to half guard.
Aadilou Ankutse has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gallagher controlling the position easily from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Gallagher comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gallagher has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Gallagher!
A victorious Frank Gallagher thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.