PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yo Ko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Grisha Gavrilov (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.

Ko
vs
Gavrilov

168 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Yo Ko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Grisha Gavrilov!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Dirk Anderson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ko shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gavrilov is refusing to be controlled, as Ko sits in half guard.

Ko seems to be working for a kimura but Gavrilov defends the submission attempt.
Gavrilov wants to improve his position but Ko is controlling well.

Ko is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gavrilov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ko.
Ko wants to take a breather but Gavrilov is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gavrilov is defending against the submission attempts here by Ko.
Gavrilov is trying to get back to full guard.
Gavrilov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Ko is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ko thows a huge punch but Gavrilov dodges it nicely.

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

Ko is working for an americana but Gavrilov has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Ko was thinking about the submission.
Ko trying to control but Gavrilov is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gavrilov is on top in guard.

Ko throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Gavrilov escapes and throws Ko's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Ko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Gavrilov decides to stand back up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gavrilov swats away the attempt to clinch by Ko.
Ko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gavrilov circles away.

Gavrilov has Ko up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ko goes for a takedown attempt but Gavrilov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Gavrilov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ko, pushing him back against the cage.
Ko wants to take the fight to the mat but Gavrilov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yo Ko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ko avoiding damage.
Ko wants a takedown but no success here.
Gavrilov looking to slow down the pace here.
Gavrilov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ko.
Ko tries to score a body lock takedown but Gavrilov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ko lands an elbow that stopped Gavrilov in his tracks for a moment.

Gavrilov gets control of Ko's arms and successfully pulls guard. Gavrilov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Ko trying to move into half guard but instead Gavrilov has managed to sweep!

Ko working for submissions but it's allowed Gavrilov to get to half guard.
Ko is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Gavrilov jumps into side control!

Gavrilov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ko manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gavrilov's best efforts.
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 Yo Ko will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gavrilov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ko defends it nicely.
Ko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Gavrilov has managed to clinch.
Ko tries for a takedown. No joy.

Ko pulls Gavrilov into guard.
Ko is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gavrilov trying to control but Ko is working from the bottom.

Ko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gavrilov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gavrilov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gavrilov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ko on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ko tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gavrilov wants to control from the top but Ko keeps moving.

Ko isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Gavrilov stacks Ko on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Gavrilov!
Ko looking for a sweep but Gavrilov has passed into full mount! Oh no!

Gavrilov gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Ko slaps away a takedown attempt from Gavrilov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ko misses with a left hand
and Gavrilov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Ko. No joy for Gavrilov on that attempt.
Yo Ko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Grisha Gavrilov.

Ko rushes Gavrilov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ko lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Grisha Gavrilov has been cut.
Ko is looking for a takedown.
Ko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gavrilov after a bit of a struggle.

Ko gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gavrilov trying to keep a closed guard but Ko is proving a slippery customer.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gavrilov is on top in guard.

Ko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ko wants to sweep here but Gavrilov controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gavrilov throws a big right hand that misses.
Gavrilov trying to control but Ko is working from the bottom.

Gavrilov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gavrilov has managed to get both his arms back between Ko's legs - danger averted.

Ko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gavrilov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gavrilov passes Ko's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ko wants to control but Gavrilov is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gavrilov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ko is just riding it out for now. Gavrilov eventually gives up the hold.
Gavrilov thows a huge punch but Ko dodges it nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ko is staying active underneath Gavrilov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ko trying to control but Gavrilov postures up.
Gavrilov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
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 Yo Ko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Grisha Gavrilov's cut.
That's time! Ko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gavrilov as he jumps to the side.
Gavrilov misses with a body kick.

Gavrilov moves into the clinch successfully.
Gavrilov stops a takedown attempt from Ko.

Ko gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Ko is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gavrilov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ko.

Gavrilov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gavrilov trying to control but Ko postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ko is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Gavrilov to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.

Ko has gone for a leg lock! Gavrilov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ko's guard.
Ko being controlled here, momentarily.

Ko has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Gavrilov is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Ko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gavrilov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Ko is looking for a sweep.
Ko is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Ko is looking to control Gavrilov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ko avoid being mounted?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gavrilov pulls his head out easily.

Ko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gavrilov pulls his head out easily.
Yo Ko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ko avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gavrilov.
Gavrilov is trying to control. Ko wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ko is trying to control but can't.
Gavrilov controlling the pace.
Ko trying to control here.
Gavrilov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ko defending well though.
Gavrilov wants to control but Ko is keeping him busy.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Grisha Gavrilov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
A lazy left from Gavrilov finds it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ko tries to keep at a distance but Gavrilov has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ko pulls guard effortlessly.
Ko working a defensive guard but Gavrilov manages to pass into side control anyway.
Gavrilov working away.
Ko manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ko not doing much here.
Ko seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gavrilov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

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 Yo Ko.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ko, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:28
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:28
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Yo Ko!