PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Renan Barao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arturo Gatti III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gatti III has chosen Black Milk & Royce 5'9 - Losing out as his entrance music. 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 Arturo Gatti III was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Barao
vs
Gatti III

170 cm
30
150 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

172 cm
36
148 lbs
33 - 14 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Renan Barao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 14 - 1, fighting out of London, Arturo Gatti III!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Phil Schofield and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gatti III throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Barao.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gatti III, as that shot connected.
We've been told by Barao's head coaches at Soul Supremacy Fight Club - ELITE TRAINERS----$580 that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Gatti III avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Gatti III has closed the distance and engaged Barao in a clinch.
Barao stalling in the clinch.

Barao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gatti III avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Barao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barao connects with a high kick.
Barao doesn't manage to clinch there - Gatti III circles away.
Barao moves in looking to clinch but Gatti III pushes him off.
Renan Barao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barao scores with a three punch combo!
Gatti III throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gatti III misses with a double jab.
Barao displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Barao fails in his attempt to clinch.
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!
Barao throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gatti III.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barao darts in trying to clinch
and Gatti III cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Barao moves out of range of the body kick.
Barao fails in his attempt to clinch.

Barao closes the distance and pushes Gatti III back into the cage.
Barao misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Barao.
Gatti III lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Barao or not.
Barao blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gatti III lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Barao blocking some punches.
Barao blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Barao pulls Gatti III into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gatti III accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gatti III postures up in Barao's guard and throws a big left but Barao blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III is working Barao over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Gatti III throwing strikes from guard but Barao blocks nicely.
Gatti III wants to pass the guard but Barao is keeping the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Barao looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gatti III cracks Barao with a solid left hand.
Gatti III works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Barao is staying active underneath Gatti III, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ground and pound from Gatti III.
Barao is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gatti III's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gatti III's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gatti III defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Barao's arms.
You can see the frustration on Gatti III's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Gatti III showing good submission defense here.
Gatti III is trying to break free.
Barao is trying to stick to Gatti III's back but Gatti III is turning into Barao. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Barao's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Gatti III.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Barao has his foot on Gatti III's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gatti III works his way back into a safe position though.
Gatti III wants to control from the top but Barao keeps moving.
Gatti III loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gatti III must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III being controlled here momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gatti III wants to stand but Barao is controlling his posture from full guard.
Gatti III trying to control but Barao is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Arturo Gatti III has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Barao tries to clinch but Gatti III is having none of it.

Gatti III gets a clinch.

Barao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Arturo Gatti III will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Barao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barao takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Barao moves to clinch but Gatti III breaks away
and Gatti III counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Barao lands a head kick!

Barao clinches with his opponent.
Gatti III tries to throw a body punch but Barao avoids it by throwing Gatti III back against the cage.
Barao tries to throw a body punch but Gatti III avoids it by throwing Barao back against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gatti III.
Barao slowing the pace effectively.
Gatti III prevents Barao from breaking the clinch.
Gatti III digs a right hand underneath Barao's ribcage. Barao let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Gatti III throws a head punch that misses.
Barao tries to score a body lock takedown but Gatti III shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barao's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch on the inside from Gatti III fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti III tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Barao's elbow.
A shot in the inside from Gatti III.
Gatti III tries to work over Barao's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Barao takes a shot to the head.
Barao drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gatti III pulls his leg out and moves away.
Barao darts in trying to clinch
and Gatti III counters with a nice low kick that buckles Barao's knee momentarily.
Gatti III throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gatti III misses with a wild body shot.
Barao throws a head kick that misses.
Barao throws a head kick that misses.
Gatti III dips to his left and cracks Barao with an uppercut!
Barao avoids the body shot from Gatti III.
Gatti III thows a body shot but no joy.
Renan Barao is winning the standup battle so far.
Gatti III throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barao misses with a head kick.
Gatti III misses the shot to the body.
Gatti III misses with a left hand

and Barao counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Barao blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gatti III fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gatti III can't find room to land a body shot as Barao controls the action.
Barao struggles to land a body shot inside as Gatti III controls his hands.
Barao prevents a body shot from Gatti III.
Gatti III lands with a left to the head.
Come on Gatti III - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gatti III working aggressively here.
Gatti III misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gatti III misses with a punch on the inside.
Gatti III misses with a punch to the body.
Gatti III utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Gatti III tries to circle away but Barao has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barao manages to break the clinch.
Gatti III misses with a low kick as Barao jumps back.
Gatti III connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Gatti III scores with a nice right hand.
Gatti III feints and then cracks Barao's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Barao down.
Barao throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gatti III throws a nice looking combination but Barao bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gatti III lands a leg kick that knocks Barao off balance momentarily.
Renan Barao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barao moves forwards but Gatti III connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Barao gets a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gatti III.
Still in the clinch, Gatti III scores with a nice short uppercut.
Barao working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Gatti III misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III prevents Barao from breaking the clinch.
Arturo Gatti III seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gatti III has had enough of the clinch but Barao keeps him there for the moment.
Gatti III struggles to land a body shot inside as Barao controls his hands.
Gatti III prevents Barao from breaking the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barao wants to get back to striking at distance but Gatti III won't allow it.
Barao goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Gatti III on the inside.
Barao avoiding damage.
Gatti III lands a left hand.
Gatti III scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Barao misses with a hook to the ribs.
Barao tries a body shot but Gatti III blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gatti III lands an uppercut.
Barao tries to throw a body punch but Gatti III avoids it by throwing Barao back against the cage.
Gatti III scores with a hook to the body.
Gatti III tries to throw a body punch but Barao avoids it by throwing Gatti III back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arturo Gatti III showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Gatti III works Barao's body with a nice hook.
Gatti III throws a hook but Barao blocks it.
Gatti III throws an overhand right that lands on Barao's shoulder, as Barao tries to avoid the shot.
Barao tries to clinch there but Gatti III circles away.
Barao lands with a slapping head kick.
Gatti III throws a head kick but Barao moves out of range.
Barao is looking to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Barao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gatti III paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Barao tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gatti III manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Barao ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice defenses there by Barao.
Barao wants to clinch.
Gatti III avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barao tries to clinch there but Gatti III circles away.
Barao tries to clinch but Gatti III moves out of range.
Barao tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gatti III manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Barao moves into the clinch.
Barao wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gatti III has him pressed against the cage.
A short left from Gatti III.

Barao has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Gatti III clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Gatti III is trying to stand back up.
You can see the frustration on Gatti III's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barao is looking for the choke from the back position but Gatti III is controlling his hands well.
Barao gets his hands free as Gatti III looks to control.
Gatti III rolls, trying to escape but Barao keeps control of the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Barao is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Gatti III has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Gatti III is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Barao off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Barao is trying to stick to Gatti III's back but Gatti III is turning into Barao. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Barao's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Gatti III.

Barao looking for a guillotine here but Gatti III defends easily.
Gatti III distracts Barao with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III postures up in Barao's guard and throws a big left but Barao blocks it.
Barao utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gatti III landing with the ground and pound.
Gatti III postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gatti III working some strikes from top position.
Barao keeping moving, preventing Gatti III from controlling successfully.

Barao has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gatti III can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Barao working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gatti III.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barao keeping moving, preventing Gatti III from controlling successfully.
Gatti III working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gatti III postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gatti III missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gatti III trying to control the position from guard on top but Barao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gatti III postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Renan Barao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gatti III scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gatti III scoring with some ground and pound.
Gatti III wants to control from the top but Barao keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arturo Gatti III comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gatti III 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arturo Gatti III!
Arturo Gatti III decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.