PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Manvel Gamburyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kustaa Pohjanala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gamburyan comes to the cage accompanied by Gamburyan vs. Brown on April 24th. Pohjanala has chosen AC/DC - Hard as a Rock as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Gamburyan
vs
Pohjanala

165 cm
34
159 lbs
8 - 14 - 0

168 cm
36
157 lbs
24 - 24 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 8 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Manvel Gamburyan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kustaa Pohjanala!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pohjanala showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gamburyan.
Pohjanala leaves Gamburyan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Pohjanala staying out of range there.
Gamburyan doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Pohjanala counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Pohjanala fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gamburyan sprawls well initially but Pohjanala persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Gamburyan keeping control of the position.
Gamburyan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gamburyan is working hard here to advance position.
Gamburyan is not content to let Pohjanala control the position.

Pohjanala wants to work for an arm triangle but Gamburyan is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pohjanala seems to be looking for submissions.

Pohjanala seems to be working for a kimura but Gamburyan defends the submission attempt.
Gamburyan punching from the bottom.

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

Pohjanala is looking for a kimura here.
Gamburyan tries to get to full guard but Pohjanala has control of the leg.

Gamburyan is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pohjanala pulls his head out easily.

Pohjanala is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gamburyan has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gamburyan moves into full guard.

Gamburyan is looking for a triangle but Pohjanala pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Pohjanala wants to control from the top but Gamburyan keeps moving.

Pohjanala drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Gamburyan manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Pohjanala has Gamburyan in his guard.
Gamburyan sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Pohjanala is trying to keep Gamburyan in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gamburyan stays in close to Pohjanala's body and controls the position.
Pohjanala controls Gamburyan momentarily but Gamburyan frees himself.
Pohjanala can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gamburyan controls the pace.

Gamburyan drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Pohjanala manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gamburyan has Pohjanala in his guard.
Pohjanala tries to free his leg and advance position but Gamburyan is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pohjanala controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nice takedown defense from Gamburyan. No joy for Pohjanala on that attempt.
Some wild striking there from Gamburyan.
Pohjanala throws a hook but Gamburyan blocks it.
Gamburyan shoots for a double leg takedown but Pohjanala sprawls well. He's pushed Gamburyan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manvel Gamburyan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gamburyan shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Pohjanala napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Gamburyan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pohjanala gets back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Pohjanala is defending against the submission attempts here by Gamburyan.
Pohjanala moves into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Manvel Gamburyan will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gamburyan shoots in but Pohjanala avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gamburyan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pohjanala swivels and escapes.
Gamburyan moves forwards but Pohjanala connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Gamburyan with a poor takedown
and Pohjanala counters with an inside leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manvel Gamburyan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gamburyan gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Pohjanala counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Gamburyan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pohjanala.
Pohjanala thuds a left hand into Gamburyan's body.
Gamburyan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pohjanala lands with an overhand left.

Gamburyan decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Manvel Gamburyan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pohjanala makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pohjanala.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pohjanala trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pohjanala is looking for a triangle but Gamburyan pushes his legs off easily.
Pohjanala is adopting a defensive guard.
Gamburyan controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gamburyan looking to sit in guard and control but Pohjanala gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Pohjanala trying to control but Gamburyan is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gamburyan looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Pohjanala wants to control from the top but Gamburyan keeps moving.
Pohjanala advances position into side control!
Gamburyan can't do much from the bottom here.
Gamburyan is not content to let Pohjanala control the position.
Gamburyan tries to buck Pohjanala off but Pohjanala is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Pohjanala is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gamburyan is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gamburyan is not content to let Pohjanala control the position.
The strikes coming from Pohjanala are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Gamburyan wants to control but Pohjanala postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gamburyan is looking to reverse the position.
Pohjanala wants to control but Gamburyan is keeping him busy.
Gamburyan is trying to control Pohjanala's posture but Pohjanala avoids it.

Pohjanala is trying to get an arm triangle but Gamburyan is defending well.
Gamburyan is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pohjanala wants to control for a moment but Gamburyan uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

Gamburyan is defending against the submission attempts here by Pohjanala.

Pohjanala is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gamburyan defends it well.
Gamburyan trying to control here.
Pohjanala missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gamburyan is looking to control Pohjanala's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gamburyan avoid being mounted?
Gamburyan tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kustaa Pohjanala 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! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gamburyan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pohjanala.
Gamburyan has his takedown stuffed
and Pohjanala connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Pohjanala misses with a wild body shot.
Gamburyan throws a left and a right that both miss
and Pohjanala counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Gamburyan thinking.
A shot to the liver by Pohjanala. Beautiful body shot.
Gamburyan shoots in but no luck this time.
Gamburyan has his takedown stuffed
and Pohjanala counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manvel Gamburyan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pohjanala fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Gamburyan tries for a takedown but Pohjanala circles away easily
and Pohjanala counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Pohjanala jabs Gamburyan right on the nose. Gamburyan blinks but takes it well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Gamburyan gets a takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gamburyan is trying to control the action in half guard but Pohjanala is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pohjanala looking for submissions off his back.

Pohjanala looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Gamburyan pushes past his half guard into mount!
Gamburyan tries to control but Pohjanala wriggling away.
Pohjanala wants to hold on but Gamburyan pushes him away.
Pohjanala is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Pohjanala is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gamburyan controlling his opponent.
Gamburyan trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Pohjanala is desperately trying to improve his position but Gamburyan has a good base and remains in mount.
Gamburyan thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Pohjanala is squirming around, avoiding Gamburyan's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gamburyan controlling from the full mount.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Pohjanala bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Pohjanala got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gamburyan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pohjanala has managed to get both his arms back between Gamburyan's legs - danger averted.
Pohjanala wants to control from the top but Gamburyan keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pohjanala not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gamburyan controlling the position.
Pohjanala throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pohjanala trying to control the position from guard on top but Gamburyan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gamburyan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gamburyan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pohjanala avoids it really well and circles away.
Pohjanala lands with an uppercut that bounces Gamburyan off the cage and back into range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gamburyan fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Pohjanala to the ground. Gamburyan is now in Pohjanala's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pohjanala trying to keep a closed guard but Gamburyan is proving a slippery customer.

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 Manvel Gamburyan.
I think Gamburyan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Kustaa Pohjanala!