PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Gagne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sebastian Giovinco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Giovinco is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Lift me up. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Sebastian Giovinco was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Gagne
vs
Giovinco

170 cm
18
144 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

164 cm
21
137 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

SAVE A FIGHTER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Xavier Gagne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sebastian Giovinco!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Gregory Folan and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gagne shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Giovinco as he avoids it easily.
Giovinco avoids the body shot from Gagne.
A solid body kick from Giovinco.

Giovinco has closed the distance and engaged Gagne in a clinch.
Gagne landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Giovinco wants to break free but Gagne has control.
Giovinco tries to score a body lock takedown but Gagne shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gagne tries to pull guard but Giovinco holds him up against the cage and eventually Gagne drops back down to his feet.
Giovinco looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Giovinco tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gagne avoids it.
Gagne blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Giovinco is trying to break free.
Giovinco drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gagne gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Giovinco pulls guard effortlessly.
Giovinco is looking to stand up but Gagne isn't so interested in that idea.
Giovinco looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gagne is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Giovinco working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sebastian Giovinco has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Gagne fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Gagne. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gagne tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Giovinco manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gagne wants to clinch up but Giovinco keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagne keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gagne tries to clinch up but Giovinco circles away and keeps his distance.
Giovinco misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Giovinco ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Giovinco no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Giovinco working for submissions but it's allowed Gagne to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gagne prevents Giovinco from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Giovinco is trying to control but can't.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Sebastian Giovinco hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Giovinco closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gagne circles away.
Giovinco is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sebastian Giovinco dominated that round.
That's time! Gagne's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Horrible takedown by Giovinco or perhaps it was just good defense by Gagne which made him look bad.
Gagne fails with the takedown.
Gagne closes this distance looking for a takedown but Giovinco circles away.
Giovinco looks for a takedown but Gagne sprawls well.
Gagne shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Giovinco sprawls well. Giovinco wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gagne gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Gagne. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Giovinco shoots in for a takedown but Gagne shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Giovinco shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gagne's guard.
Giovinco is stalling in the full guard.
Gagne can't keep his opponent in guard - Giovinco advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Giovinco gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gagne has his takedown stuffed
and Giovinco counters with a straight right hand.
Xavier Gagne is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Horrible takedown by Giovinco or perhaps it was just good defense by Gagne which made him look bad.
Giovinco swings for the body but Gagne moves out of range.

Giovinco instigates a clinch.
Giovinco tries to pull guard but Gagne holds him up against the cage and eventually Giovinco drops back down to his feet.
Giovinco trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Giovinco turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Giovinco creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Gagne sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Giovinco taking a break here but Gagne is having none of it and regains half guard.
Giovinco prevents Gagne from standing back up.

Giovinco is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagne tries to kick Giovinco off but Giovinco keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Giovinco frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Giovinco stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sebastian Giovinco showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Giovinco drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Giovinco slips nicely into half guard.
Giovinco prevents Gagne from standing back up.
Giovinco throwing shots but Gagne is blocking nicely.
Giovinco is keen to just control but Gagne is a slippery customer.

Giovinco decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Giovinco looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagne shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Giovinco defends it nicely.
Giovinco fails with a takedown attempt.
Gagne keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Xavier Gagne has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sebastian Giovinco.
Giovinco tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gagne swivels and escapes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gagne tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Giovinco manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sebastian Giovinco seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gagne takes a kick to the side of the head.
Gagne tries a head kick but it misses.
Giovinco stuffs the takedown.

Giovinco clinches up with Gagne and pushes him back against the cage.

Giovinco decides to pull guard.

Giovinco is looking for a triangle but Gagne pushes his legs off easily.
Giovinco takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Giovinco is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Giovinco looking to sit in guard and control but Gagne gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Giovinco has his feet on Gagne's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagne shoots in for a takedown but Giovinco shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Giovinco changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gagne looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Gagne is not content to let Giovinco control the position.
Giovinco tries to advance to mount but Gagne denies him.
Xavier Gagne has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Giovinco wants to control but Gagne is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sebastian Giovinco comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Giovinco 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 William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sebastian Giovinco!
An out of breath and clearly excited Sebastian Giovinco thanked SAVE A FIGHTER for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).