PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Giuseppe Gabrielli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Ganja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gabrielli
vs
Ganja

225 cm
22
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Giuseppe Gabrielli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sam Ganja!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gabrielli looks for a takedown but Ganja sprawls well.
Gabrielli scores with a head kick.
Gabrielli throws a sloppy head kick and Ganja moves out of range easily.
Gabrielli misses with a wild combination.
Gabrielli looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Gabrielli throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ganja's head.
Nice takedown defense from Gabrielli. No joy for Ganja on that attempt.
Gabrielli throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ganja.
Ganja tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gabrielli paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A punch combination from Gabrielli misses.
Gabrielli tries for a takedown but Ganja sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ganja shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gabrielli pinned against the cage. Gabrielli gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ganja tries for a takedown but Gabrielli sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Giuseppe Gabrielli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Ganja.
Gabrielli throws a nice head kick!
Gabrielli misses with a looping left.
Gabrielli throws a right hand that Ganja ducks under and follows up with a left that Ganja also avoids with ease.
Gabrielli throws a series of punches but Ganja avoids them all with ease.
Gabrielli misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabrielli has a takedown stuffed.
Gabrielli throws a series of punches but Ganja moves out of range.
Gabrielli is looking to chop away at Ganja's legs.
Ganja blocks a head kick by Gabrielli.
Gabrielli rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ganja moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ganja tries to clinch up but Gabrielli circles away and keeps his distance.
Ganja fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gabrielli looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Gabrielli is breathing heavily.
Ganja misses with a takedown attempt - Gabrielli sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gabrielli avoids the head kick by Ganja.
Ganja shoots in and drives through. Gabrielli sprawls well.
Gabrielli avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gabrielli avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Gabrielli as Ganja shoots in.
Gabrielli avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gabrielli shoots for a double leg takedown but Ganja sprawls well. He's pushed Gabrielli's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ganja tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Ganja tries to keep at a distance but Gabrielli has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ganja tries to break the clinch but Gabrielli is controlling the position.
Ganja tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ganja wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ganja tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gabrielli smiles and moves away.
Gabrielli throws a head kick but Ganja moves out of range.
Ganja blocks a head kick by Gabrielli.
Gabrielli lands a head kick!
Gabrielli throws a combination that misses
and Ganja counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gabrielli misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gabrielli throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabrielli misses with a head kick.
Gabrielli throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ganja.
A jab lands there for Ganja.
Giuseppe Gabrielli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ganja tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gabrielli swivels and escapes.
Ganja shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gabrielli but Gabrielli pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gabrielli lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ganja shoots in but Gabrielli avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ganja looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gabrielli is fending him off so far but Ganja persists. Nope, Gabrielli circles away and we're back to standing.
Gabrielli rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ganja moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ganja is looking to clinch but Gabrielli is avoiding it.
Ganja tries to land a front kick but Gabrielli steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ganja has a takedown stuffed.
Gabrielli swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gabrielli throws a looping overhand right but Ganja ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gabrielli throws a head kick that half lands.
Gabrielli throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ganja counters with a stiff right hand.
No luck for Ganja with that takedown attempt.
Ganja tries to close the distance and clinch but Gabrielli swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ganja shoots in but Gabrielli avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gabrielli throws a nice head kick!
Ganja fails with a takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by Gabrielli or perhaps it was just good defense by Ganja which made him look bad.
Gabrielli misses with a double jab
and Gabrielli takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gabrielli tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Gabrielli scores with a takedown into Ganja's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ganja controls Gabrielli momentarily but Gabrielli frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sam Ganja will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gabrielli misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gabrielli throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gabrielli pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gabrielli throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gabrielli throws a head kick that misses.

Ganja tries to keep at a distance but Gabrielli has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ganja pushes Gabrielli back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gabrielli is trying to break the clinch but Ganja has him pressed against the cage.
Gabrielli avoiding damage as Ganja throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gabrielli breaks the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Gabrielli.
Ganja closes the distance and clinches up with Gabrielli, looking for a takedown. Ganja pushes Gabrielli against the cage but Gabrielli circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabrielli throws a sloppy head kick and Ganja moves out of range easily.
Ganja stuffs the takedown attempt from Gabrielli. Gabrielli gets slowly back to his feet.
Horrible takedown by Gabrielli or perhaps it was just good defense by Ganja which made him look bad.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ganja has a takedown stuffed.
Ganja looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ganja tries to clinch but Gabrielli moves out of range.
Ganja takes a kick to the side of the head.
Gabrielli keeps the fight on the outside.
Gabrielli throws a sloppy head kick and Ganja moves out of range easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ganja looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gabrielli avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ganja displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gabrielli throws out the jab.
Gabrielli throws a combination that misses
and Ganja cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ganja stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Giuseppe Gabrielli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Gabrielli.
Gabrielli misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ganja takes a kick to the side of the head.
Giuseppe Gabrielli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gabrielli shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice sprawl there from Gabrielli as Ganja shoots in.

Gabrielli closes the distance and clinches.
Gabrielli wants to break free but Ganja has control.
Gabrielli wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gabrielli wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ganja misses with a punch to the body.
Gabrielli has had enough of the clinch but Ganja keeps him there for the moment.
Gabrielli has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ganja is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gabrielli is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabrielli wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gabrielli wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ganja tries to throw a body punch but Gabrielli avoids it by throwing Ganja back against the cage.
Ganja tries to pull guard but Gabrielli won't allow it.
Gabrielli tries to break the clinch but Ganja is controlling the position.

Gabrielli breaks from the clinch.
Gabrielli throws a combination that misses

and Ganja counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ganja.
Ganja keeps control of Gabrielli as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gabrielli wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ganja stalling in the clinch but Gabrielli improves position.
Gabrielli wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gabrielli wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gabrielli can't break the clinch.
Ganja trying to stall but Gabrielli improves his position.
Ganja is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ganja fails to pull guard.
Gabrielli can't break the clinch.
Ganja goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gabrielli wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ganja tries to pull guard but Gabrielli holds him up against the cage and eventually Ganja drops back down to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ganja looking for a takedown.
Ganja wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gabrielli has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Giuseppe Gabrielli will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Gabrielli throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ganja closes the distance and clinches up with Gabrielli, looking for a takedown. Ganja pushes Gabrielli against the cage but Gabrielli circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gabrielli tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ganja misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ganja shoots in for a takedown but Gabrielli shows good takedown defense.
Ganja shoots in for a double leg but Gabrielli sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Giuseppe Gabrielli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Ganja.
Gabrielli misses with a takedown attempt - Ganja sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gabrielli shoots in for a double leg but Ganja sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gabrielli circles away from the clinch attempt
and Gabrielli counters with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gabrielli tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ganja swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gabrielli throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ganja's waist but Ganja gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gabrielli off to one side.
Ganja connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gabrielli. Gabrielli circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Ganja closes the distance and clinches up with Gabrielli, looking for a takedown. Ganja pushes Gabrielli against the cage but Gabrielli circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ganja takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ganja tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ganja looks for a takedown but Gabrielli sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabrielli throws a head kick but Ganja moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Gabrielli. No joy for Ganja on that attempt.
Ganja has a takedown stuffed.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ganja.
Gabrielli keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ganja tries to clinch but Gabrielli is having none of it.
Ganja is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ganja fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gabrielli misses with a head kick.
Gabrielli throws a head kick but Ganja moves out of range.
Gabrielli rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ganja moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ganja.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gabrielli throws a sloppy head kick and Ganja moves out of range easily.
Gabrielli misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gabrielli misses with a wild combination.

Gabrielli gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ganja has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Gabrielli avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gabrielli can't break the clinch.
Gabrielli wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ganja has him pressed against the cage.
Ganja is pressed up against the cage. Gabrielli has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ganja down to the mat. Ganja avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Gabrielli forces Ganja back against the cage and clinches.
Ganja wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gabrielli prevents Ganja from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabrielli wants to break free but Ganja has control.
Gabrielli is looking to break free of the clinch but Ganja has double underhooks.
Ganja tries to pull guard but Gabrielli holds him up against the cage and eventually Ganja drops back down to his feet.
Ganja wants to break free but Gabrielli has control.
Ganja keeps control of Gabrielli as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gabrielli tries to break the clinch but Ganja is controlling the position.
Ganja prevents Gabrielli from breaking the clinch.
Ganja has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gabrielli is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gabrielli is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Ganja pulls Gabrielli into guard.

Ganja working for a triangle but Gabrielli defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ganja wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gabrielli slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Gabrielli has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ganja looking for a sweep. Not yet Ganja, not yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Giuseppe Gabrielli showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gabrielli 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!