PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mark Gambacorto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takanori Gomi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gomi has chosen Scary as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gambacorto
vs
Gomi

173 cm
26
168 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

173 cm
24
168 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mark Gambacorto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takanori Gomi!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gomi staying out of range there.
Gomi lands with a good body shot.
Gomi swings away with a body shot that misses
and Gomi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gambacorto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gambacorto displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gomi.
Gomi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Gomi lands with an uppercut that bounces Gambacorto off the cage and back into range.
Gomi looks to score with a jab to the body but Gambacorto is just out of range.
Gambacorto wants to clinch up but Gomi keeps it at a distance.
Gomi throws a hook to the side of Gambacorto's head but Gambacorto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gomi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gambacorto.

Gambacorto pushes Gomi up against the cage in a clinch.
Gomi wants a takedown.
Gomi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mark Gambacorto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takanori Gomi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambacorto lands with a left to the head.
Gomi wants to break free but Gambacorto has control.
Gambacorto's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Nice elbow from Gambacorto.
Gomi dodges an elbow strike from Gambacorto.

Gambacorto manages to break the clinch.
Gomi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gambacorto.
Nice defenses there by Gambacorto.
Gomi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gambacorto doesn't seem bothered though.
Gomi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Gambacorto clinches with his opponent.

Gomi gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Gambacorto keeping moving, preventing Gomi from controlling successfully.
Gambacorto looking for a sweep. Not yet Gambacorto, not yet.
Gambacorto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gomi cracks Gambacorto with a solid left hand.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gambacorto looking for a sweep. Not yet Gambacorto, not yet.
Gomi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gambacorto wants to stand but Gomi is controlling the position.
Gambacorto looking for a sweep. Not yet Gambacorto, not yet.
Gomi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gomi lands a couple of elbows.
Gomi looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gambacorto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gomi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gomi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gambacorto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gomi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gambacorto's head.

Gomi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gomi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gambacorto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gomi is looking to work some ground and pound but Gambacorto has wrist control.
Gomi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gomi won't allow Gambacorto to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomi throws a big elbow that misses.
Gomi working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gomi cracks Gambacorto with a solid left hand.
Gomi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gomi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gambacorto keeping full guard, as Gomi tries to pass.
Gambacorto wants to sweep but no luck.
Gomi stays in close to Gambacorto's body and controls the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gambacorto has his hands on Gomi's head, controlling the position.
Gomi scoring with punches to the head and body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takanori Gomi dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gomi.
Gambacorto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gomi throws out the jab.
Gomi throws out a loose jab but Gambacorto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sloppy strikes from Gambacorto. Those never looked like landing.
Gambacorto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gomi.
Gomi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gomi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gambacorto tries to clinch but Gomi is having none of it.
Gomi throws a body punch but Gambacorto moves out of range.
Gambacorto lands with a nice body punch.
Gomi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambacorto tries to clinch up.
Gambacorto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gambacorto takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Gambacorto gets caught napping as Gomi dives in and scores a takedown. Gambacorto manages to retain guard.
Gambacorto working a defensive guard here.
Gambacorto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gomi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gambacorto's head.
Gambacorto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gambacorto is pulling down on Gomi's head. It's preventing any offense from Gomi, at least for the moment.
Gomi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi wants to control from the top but Gambacorto keeps moving.
Gomi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gambacorto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gomi.
Gambacorto wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gomi stands up over Gambacorto, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gomi wants to control from the top but Gambacorto keeps moving.
Gambacorto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gomi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gambacorto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gomi throwing strikes but missing.
Gomi landing some decent shots from guard.
Gomi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gambacorto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gomi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gambacorto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gomi.
Gomi throws a big right hand that misses.
Gomi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gambacorto manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Gomi working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomi wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Gambacorto controlling well, preventing Gomi from escaping the position.
Gambacorto controlling from the back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gomi is really stuck here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takanori Gomi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Gambacorto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gomi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Gambacorto just misses with a punch to the body.
Gambacorto is looking to chop away at Gomi's legs.
Nice uppercut lands for Gomi. That snapped Gambacorto's head back.
Gomi misses with an uppercut
and Gambacorto counters with a big head kick but Gomi shrugs it off.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Gambacorto enables Gomi to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gambacorto manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Gambacorto wants to get back to his feet but Gomi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gomi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gomi stands and throws Gambacorto's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gambacorto is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Takanori Gomi has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambacorto is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Gomi off and has taken his back!
Gambacorto doesn't have the hooks in and Gomi manages to turn into his guard.
Gomi postures up and lands a big shot to Gambacorto's brow.
Gomi looking to pass the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gomi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gomi tries to free his leg and advance position but Gambacorto is retaining full guard.
Gomi passes Gambacorto's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Gomi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gomi is looking to take a break and control but Gambacorto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gambacorto trying to control here.
Gomi seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Gomi is working for a submission of some sort.
Gambacorto has his hands clasped together around Gomi's back. He's all about the action.
Nice strikes from Gomi there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gambacorto defending well though.
Gambacorto has hold of Gomi's hands but Gomi slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gambacorto wants to get back to his feet.
Gambacorto is trying to get back to full guard.
Gomi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gomi looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gambacorto keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gambacorto keeps working.
Gomi looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Gambacorto blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gomi.
Gambacorto taking some punishment here, with Gomi in his half guard.
Gomi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gambacorto is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gomi scores with a couple of nice shots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gambacorto wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gomi scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Gomi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gambacorto is trying to maintain the position but Gomi is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takanori Gomi really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gomi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gambacorto.

Gambacorto closes the distance and clinches.

Gambacorto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gomi misses the shot to the body.
Gomi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gomi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice uppercut there from Gambacorto.
Gambacorto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gomi throws out the jab.
Gomi fails to land the takedown.
Gambacorto leaves Gomi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambacorto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gomi.

Gomi gets tackled into the cage by Gambacorto. Gambacorto maintains the clinch.
Gambacorto is working Gomi over against the cage.
A short right from Gambacorto.
Gambacorto gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Gambacorto missing with knees to the body.
Gomi can't break the clinch.
Gambacorto lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gomi backwards.
Gomi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gomi wants to take the fight to the mat but Gambacorto manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mark Gambacorto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takanori Gomi.
Gomi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gambacorto is defending well for now.
Gambacorto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gomi's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Gambacorto taking a breather.
Gambacorto missing with knees to the body.
Gomi is trying to break free.
Gambacorto manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Gambacorto gets through Gomi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gambacorto misses with a short punch on the inside.

Gambacorto breaks from the clinch.
Gambacorto avoids the body shot from Gomi.
Gambacorto dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gomi. That did some damage!
Mark Gambacorto is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomi tests Gambacorto's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Gambacorto lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Gomi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Gomi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Gomi swings for the body but Gambacorto moves out of range.

Gomi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Gambacorto did well to prevent Gomi getting side control.
Gambacorto keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gomi trying to control the action but Gambacorto is working from the bottom.
Gambacorto wants to improve his position but Gomi is controlling well.

Gomi is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomi throwing shots but Gambacorto is blocking nicely.
Gomi tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gambacorto knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gambacorto wants to get back to his feet.
Gambacorto keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gambacorto is refusing to be controlled, as Gomi sits in half guard.
Gambacorto looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Mark Gambacorto will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Gambacorto tries to close the distance and clinch but Gomi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gambacorto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gomi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Gomi shoots in for a takedown but Gambacorto shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gambacorto throws a low kick but it's checked well by Gomi.
Gambacorto bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gomi's head.
Gambacorto is looking to slow Gomi down with leg kicks.
Gomi thows a body shot but no joy.
Gomi looks to throw the jab but Gambacorto is out of range.
Gambacorto ducks right into an uppercut from Gomi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Gomi misses.
Gambacorto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gomi.
Gambacorto stalks Gomi and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Gomi's face. Gomi staggers backwards, shaken.
Gomi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gomi misses with a hook.
Gomi looks to score with a jab to the body but Gambacorto is just out of range.
Gambacorto fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Gomi gets tackled into the cage by Gambacorto. Gambacorto maintains the clinch.
Gambacorto manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Gomi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gambacorto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A shot to the body from Gomi misses
and Gambacorto counters with a one-two to the body.
Gambacorto wants to clinch.
Gambacorto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gomi moves away.
Gomi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gomi throws a body punch but Gambacorto moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gomi cracks Gambacorto with a right hand to the side of the head.
Gambacorto avoids the body shot from Gomi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomi ducks under a wild hook from Gambacorto.
Gambacorto walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gambacorto.
Gambacorto takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gomi. Gambacorto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gomi lands an overhand right.
Gambacorto scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gomi cracks Gambacorto with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Gambacorto moves away from the strike by Gomi.
Gomi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gambacorto.
Gomi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomi staying out of range there.
Mark Gambacorto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gomi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Gomi cracks a nice hook into Gambacorto's ribs.
Gambacorto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gomi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gambacorto misses with a right hand
and Gomi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mark Gambacorto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gambacorto throws a hook to the side of Gomi's head but Gomi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gambacorto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gomi.
Gambacorto takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Takanori Gomi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gambacorto misses the jab.
Gambacorto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gambacorto throws a nice outside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mark Gambacorto.
I think Gomi 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 47:48
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takanori Gomi!
Takanori Gomi is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath Takanori Gomi thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.