PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hutch Gibson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Felix Basilan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Felix Basilan has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gibson
vs
Basilan

185 cm
33
175 lbs
23 - 12 - 0

182 cm
25
179 lbs
14 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hutch Gibson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Felix Basilan!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Robert Douchet and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gibson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Crunch! Basilan slams his shin into Gibson's torso.
Gibson throws a leg kick but Basilan checks it.
Gibson has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Basilan.
Basilan moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gibson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

It looks like Hutch Gibson has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
That kick from Basilan tenderised Gibson's leg. Gibson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Basilan looks to throw the jab but Gibson is out of range.
Gibson moves out of range of the strikes.
Basilan is looking to clinch.

Basilan moves into the clinch.

Gibson has picked Basilan up - he's going for a ride! Gibson dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Gibson is just content to waste time from the top position. Basilan takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Basilan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gibson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Basilan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gibson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Basilan holds on and takes a little breather.
Gibson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gibson throws a big elbow that misses.
Gibson is looking to work some ground and pound but Basilan has wrist control.
Basilan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Basilan has his hands on Gibson's head, controlling the position.
Gibson is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Basilan is controlling Gibson's posture.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Felix Basilan wasn't active enough on the ground.
Gibson slips under a jab.
Basilan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gibson ducks under a wild hook from Basilan.

Basilan gets tackled into the cage by Gibson. Gibson maintains the clinch.
Basilan using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gibson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Basilan with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gibson blocks an uppercut.

Gibson gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Basilan keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Basilan trying to control here.
Gibson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gibson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gibson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Basilan defending well though.
Gibson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Basilan blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gibson.
Basilan gets full guard.
Basilan has Gibson pulled in close to control his posture.
Gibson wants to pass the guard but Basilan is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gibson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gibson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gibson with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gibson throwing strikes but missing.
Gibson trying to control the position from guard on top but Basilan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gibson throws a big right hand that misses.
Basilan keeping moving, preventing Gibson from controlling successfully.

Gibson drops back looking for a leg! Basilan is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Basilan manages to kick Gibson off! Gibson jumps back into Basilan's guard.
Gibson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Felix Basilan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hutch Gibson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gibson throws a leg kick but Basilan moved away.
Basilan ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Gibson defending well as Basilan loads up on a big left hand.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Gibson.
Gibson digs a good hook to Basilan's body.
Basilan misses with an attempted mid kick.
Basilan paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gibson defending well as Basilan loads up on a big left hand.
Gibson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Basilan manages to avoid it.
Gibson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Basilan.
Gibson scoring well with a low kick there.
Gibson swats away the attempt to clinch by Basilan.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Basilan thows a body shot but no joy.

Gibson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Basilan is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Basilan tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gibson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Basilan avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gibson tries to stall but Basilan uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Basilan lands a knee to the head.
Basilan tries to land a knee to the head but Gibson blocks with his arms.
Basilan looking to throw knees to the head but Gibson is blocking nicely.
Basilan working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Basilan using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gibson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Basilan with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Basilan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Basilan pushes Gibson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gibson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Gibson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Basilan's defenses.

It looks like Felix Basilan has been cut.
Basilan lands with a left to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Basilan.
Basilan tries a body shot but Gibson blocks it.
Basilan is looking to control Gibson's arms but Gibson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Basilan has his back to the cage.
Gibson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Basilan is keeping busy.
Gibson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gibson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
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!
Gibson with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gibson missing with knees to the body.
Gibson missing with knees to the body.
Gibson misses with a knee to the head.
Gibson looking to throw knees to the head but Basilan is blocking nicely.
Gibson trying to control the position but instead, Basilan has worked for underhooks and has pushed Gibson into the cage.
Gibson lands a damaging elbow.
Gibson avoiding damage as Basilan throws knees to the body.
Gibson looking for a takedown.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Basilan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nice elbow from Gibson.

That has opened up Felix Basilan's cut even more.
Gibson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Basilan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Basilan scores with a shot to the side of Gibson's head.
Basilan blocks an elbow strike from Gibson.
Basilan pushes Gibson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Basilan misses with some punches.
Basilan tries a knee to the head but Gibson blocks it.
Basilan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gibson missing with knees to the body.
Gibson throws an elbow that misses.

Gibson has Basilan pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Gibson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Basilan tumbling to the mat - Gibson dives into Basilan's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Basilan holds on and takes a little breather.
Gibson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gibson wants to pass the guard but Basilan is keeping the position.
Basilan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gibson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Basilan is keeping the position for now.
Hutch Gibson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gibson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gibson is looking to work some ground and pound but Basilan has wrist control.
Basilan is trying to control the position but Gibson postures up.
Basilan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gibson trying to control but Basilan is working from the bottom.
Gibson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Basilan is keeping the position for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hutch Gibson dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Gibson does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Basilan jabs Gibson right on the nose. Gibson blinks but takes it well.
Gibson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Basilan's sensitive parts.
Basilan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gibson can pounce on him.
Gibson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Basilan getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Basilan lands a nice leg kick that just misses Gibson's sensitive parts.
Gibson throws a chopping leg kick but Basilan manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Gibson takes one on the button.
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!
Basilan moves out of range of the leg kick from Gibson.
Gibson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Basilan is out of range and Gibson settles back down.
Basilan throws a half hearted mid kick.

Gibson moves into the clinch.
Gibson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Basilan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Basilan lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gibson backwards.
A short left from Basilan.
Gibson blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gibson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Basilan lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Gibson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Basilan lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Basilan tries to stall but Gibson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Basilan swings wildly with an uppercut but Gibson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Basilan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gibson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gibson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Basilan with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Basilan misses with a punch to the body.
Gibson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Basilan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Basilan tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gibson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Basilan tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gibson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Basilan taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Basilan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gibson looking to throw knees to the head but Basilan is blocking nicely.
Basilan is trying to stall.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Basilan.
Gibson missing with knees to the body.
Basilan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gibson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Basilan.
Gibson lands an elbow just above Basilan 's eye.
Gibson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gibson throws an elbow but it misses.
Felix Basilan seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short left from Basilan.
Gibson prevents a body shot from Basilan.
Gibson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gibson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gibson trying to land knees to the body.
Basilan looking to throw knees to the head but Gibson is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gibson tries to score a body lock takedown but Basilan shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Basilan is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gibson is defending well for now.
Basilan lands a right hand.
Basilan lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gibson backwards.
Gibson trying to land knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gibson.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Basilan.
Gibson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Basilan.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Basilan lands a left hand.
Basilan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gibson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Basilan lands a shoulder strike.
Basilan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gibson throws an elbow but it misses.
Basilan scores with a nice hook to the head.
Basilan avoiding damage.
Gibson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Basilan is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gibson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Basilan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Basilan'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.
Gibson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Basilan is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Basilan avoiding damage as Gibson throws knees to the body.
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!
Gibson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gibson avoiding damage as Basilan throws knees to the body.
Gibson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gibson wants a takedown.
Basilan stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Basilan stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Gibson missing with knees to the body.
Basilan with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Basilan lands a nice uppercut.
Basilan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Felix Basilan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Basilan 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Felix Basilan!