PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hai Gomez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ilya Cherbonakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cherbonakov has chosen Mamma said knock you out as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gomez
vs
Cherbonakov

211 cm
24
194 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
197 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hai Gomez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ilya Cherbonakov!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Nard Betker and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cherbonakov rushes Gomez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Cherbonakov breaks from the clinch.
Cherbonakov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gomez.
Gomez moves out of range of the body kick.
Gomez blocks a head kick by Cherbonakov.
As Cherbonakov tries to get set, Gomez tries to push him back and clinch up but Cherbonakov manages to avoid the attempt.
Cherbonakov scores with a spinning back kick!

Cherbonakov closes the distance and clinches.
Cherbonakov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gomez wants a takedown but no success here.
Cherbonakov landing knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cherbonakov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Gomez to keep the fight standing.

Cherbonakov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cherbonakov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gomez.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hai Gomez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cherbonakov throws a leg kick but Gomez moved away.
Gomez tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Cherbonakov manages to circle out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gomez manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Cherbonakov on his heels. He'll look to pass Cherbonakov's guard now, I'm sure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gomez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cherbonakov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cherbonakov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gomez is one step ahead there.
Cherbonakov wants to control the position but Gomez says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Cherbonakov wants to control but Gomez is keeping busy.
Cherbonakov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Gomez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Cherbonakov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Gomez 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 two minutes gone in the round.
Cherbonakov trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Gomez manages to pass to mount!
A nice elbow there by Gomez.
Gomez lands a big shot there that rocks Cherbonakov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Cherbonakov is looking to get to half guard.
Cherbonakov swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
BOOM! Gomez connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Cherbonakov is wriggling around trying to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cherbonakov tries to lock up and control but Gomez gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Cherbonakov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gomez cracks Cherbonakov with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Gomez is landing with some decent strikes but Cherbonakov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cherbonakov throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Cherbonakov wants to control but Gomez is having none of it.
Gomez scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Cherbonakov?
Cherbonakov has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
Cherbonakov tries to roll but Gomez sticks to his back.
Cherbonakov is still trying to improve position.
Cherbonakov trying to control the hands but Gomez breaks the grip.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomez lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Cherbonakov hold on?!
Gomez scores with strikes from the back.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Gomez. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Cherbonakov is in bad spot here.
Cherbonakov wants to get back to his feet.
Cherbonakov trying to control the action but Gomez just sinks the hooks in.
Cherbonakov is in bad spot here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hai Gomez dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A low kick from Cherbonakov misses

and Gomez counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hai Gomez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gomez makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gomez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cherbonakov wants to hit a switch here but Gomez passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Cherbonakov there!
Cherbonakov is trying to escape the mount.
Cherbonakov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gomez landing strikes, looking to finish!
Gomez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Gomez landing punches.
Cherbonakov throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Cherbonakov tries to lock up and control but Gomez gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gomez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cherbonakov can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomez lands a big shot there that rocks Cherbonakov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Cherbonakov flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Cherbonakov is bucking up trying to escape but Gomez cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Cherbonakov is desperately trying to improve his position but Gomez has a good base and remains in mount.
Gomez landing shots from mount.
Cherbonakov tries to lock up and control but Gomez gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gomez lands a nice shot to the head.
Gomez connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Gomez with shots to the head and body - Cherbonakov looks very uncomfortable down there.
Gomez fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Cherbonakov wants to hold on but Gomez pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomez with shots to the head and body - Cherbonakov looks very uncomfortable down there.
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!
Cherbonakov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Cherbonakov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Cherbonakov taking shots to the head.
Cherbonakov tries to buck Gomez off but he can't manage it.
Gomez lands a couple of good shots and Cherbonakov has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Good control from Gomez.
Cherbonakov trying to control the action but Gomez just sinks the hooks in.
Gomez has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Cherbonakov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Cherbonakov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Cherbonakov grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Gomez loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Cherbonakov hold on?
Cherbonakov trying to control the hands but Gomez won't let him.
Cherbonakov is in bad spot here.
Gomez is working the ground and pound. Can Cherbonakov escape?
Gomez is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Gomez lands a shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomez lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
I really don't envy Cherbonakov right now.
Gomez is landing with strikes from the back.
Gomez is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Gomez gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Gomez gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Gomez apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Cherbonakov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ilya Cherbonakov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Gomez takes the fight into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Cherbonakov breaks the clinch.
Cherbonakov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hai Gomez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cherbonakov misses with an uppercut. Gomez saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hai Gomez dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Cherbonakov tries a head kick but it misses.
A head kick misses from Cherbonakov.
Gomez wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Cherbonakov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Cherbonakov throws the left hand but Gomez avoids the punch easily.
Cherbonakov misses with an uppercut. Gomez saw that one coming.
As Cherbonakov tries to get set, Gomez tries to push him back and clinch up but Cherbonakov manages to avoid the attempt.
Cherbonakov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Cherbonakov.

Cherbonakov darts in and clinches Gomez up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cherbonakov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cherbonakov 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.
Cherbonakov misses with a head kick.
Gomez tries to counter by clinching up but Cherbonakov breaks away and moves out of range.
Cherbonakov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cherbonakov tries to land a front kick but Gomez steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cherbonakov tries to pull guard but Gomez forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Cherbonakov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cherbonakov throws a head kick that misses

and Gomez counters by moving into the clinch.

Cherbonakov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cherbonakov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Gomez if he has to take too many more of those.
Gomez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Cherbonakov rushes Gomez and presses him up against the cage.
Cherbonakov slows down the pace here.
A knee to the head by Cherbonakov.

It looks like Hai Gomez has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cherbonakov manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Cherbonakov.
Gomez seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Gomez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cherbonakov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gomez avoids the head kick by Cherbonakov.
Cherbonakov throws a head kick but Gomez moves out of range.
As Cherbonakov tries to get set, Gomez tries to push him back and clinch up but Cherbonakov manages to avoid the attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gomez walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Cherbonakov is looking to score with low kicks.
Cherbonakov throws a head kick that misses.
As Cherbonakov tries to get set, Gomez tries to push him back and clinch up but Cherbonakov manages to avoid the attempt.
Ilya Cherbonakov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cherbonakov scores with a kick to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cherbonakov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Cherbonakov.
Cherbonakov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gomez tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Cherbonakov manages to circle out of the way.
Cherbonakov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gomez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cherbonakov defends it nicely.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Cherbonakov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Gomez has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Gomez and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Cherbonakov drives through and clinches with Gomez against the cage.

Cherbonakov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gomez avoids the head kick by Cherbonakov.
Ilya Cherbonakov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gomez blocks a head kick by Cherbonakov.
Gomez changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gomez tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hai Gomez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Cherbonakov manages to break the clinch.
Cherbonakov is looking to land body kicks.
Cherbonakov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gomez feinted with a counter takedown.
Cherbonakov connects with a solid leg kick.
Cherbonakov looks to land a body kick but Gomez moved away.
Cherbonakov misses with a leg kick

and Gomez counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cherbonakov actively working from the bottom here.
Hai Gomez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gomez stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ilya Cherbonakov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gomez 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hai Gomez!