PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wabricio Ferdum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leonel Gatti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ferdum comes to the cage accompanied by PARIS - the devil made me do it. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Ferdum
vs
Gatti

195 cm
35
260 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

199 cm
37
261 lbs
13 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Wabricio Ferdum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Leonel Gatti!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferdum jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ferdum connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gatti. Gatti circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

It looks like Leonel Gatti has been cut.
Ferdum is looking to clinch but Gatti is avoiding it.
Ferdum checks the leg kick.
Wabricio Ferdum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gatti slips under a jab from Ferdum.

Ferdum feints and as Gatti raises his hands in defense, Ferdum changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ferdum throws a big elbow that misses.
Ferdum looking to sit in guard and control but Gatti gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gatti postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gatti is pushing down on Ferdum's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ferdum is fighting to maintain full guard but Gatti has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ferdum is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ferdum is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Soul Supremacy Rio, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

Gatti seems to be working for a kimura but Ferdum defends the submission attempt.
Ferdum is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferdum looking for submissions off his back.
Ferdum wants to get back to full guard.

Gatti is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ferdum doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gatti.
Ferdum trying to get back to full guard but Gatti takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Ferdum is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ferdum is trying to escape the mount but Gatti keeps good control and instead manages to take Ferdum's back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferdum is in bad spot here.

Ferdum is having to fend off submission attempts from Gatti, who is looking to sink in the choke. Gatti doesn't have the hooks in though and Ferdum manages to reverse position! He's now on top, in his opponent's guard.
Gatti keeping moving, preventing Ferdum from controlling successfully.
Ferdum pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gatti is keeping the position for now.
Ferdum landing some decent shots from guard.
Ferdum working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gatti's head.
Ferdum missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferdum postures up in Gatti's guard and throws a big left but Gatti blocks it.
Ferdum is looking to work some ground and pound but Gatti has wrist control.
Ferdum scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ferdum throws an elbow that misses. Gatti uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ferdum's guard. Nice move by Gatti!

Gatti postures up.
Gatti being controlled here momentarily.
Ferdum tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ferdum keeping moving, preventing Gatti from controlling successfully.
Ferdum looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ferdum has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Gatti has passed into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferdum struggling a bit here.
Gatti trying to control the position but Ferdum is working away.

Gatti thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Ferdum gets back to half guard.
Gatti trying to mount his opponent but Ferdum defends it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gatti wants to take a breather but Ferdum is having none of it.
Ferdum tries to roll over but Gatti keeps him under control.

Gatti is looking for a kimura but Ferdum is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gatti to get the leverage.
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 Wabricio Ferdum will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Leonel Gatti's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ferdum throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gatti tests Ferdum's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gatti throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A counter left hand to the body from Ferdum misses its target.
Ferdum throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ferdum misses with a right hand
and Gatti counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Ferdum throws a hook to the side of Gatti's head but Gatti sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gatti with the counter takedown but Ferdum avoids it easily.
Ferdum misses with a straight left.
Gatti changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gatti ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ferdum throws a good cross that connects.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ferdum drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gatti trying to keep a closed guard but Ferdum is proving a slippery customer.
Gatti looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ferdum trying to control the position from guard on top but Gatti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferdum makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ferdum 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.
Ferdum keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gatti's head.
Gatti avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ferdum postures up.
Ferdum postures up and lands a big shot to Gatti's brow.
Ferdum working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ferdum throws an elbow that misses. Gatti uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ferdum's guard. Nice move by Gatti!

Gatti stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ferdum swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ferdum looking for a sweep. Not yet Ferdum, not yet.
Gatti must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferdum keeping moving, preventing Gatti from controlling successfully.
Ferdum manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gatti manages to get himself to full guard.

Gatti keeping moving, preventing Ferdum from controlling successfully.
Ferdum looking to sit in guard and control but Gatti gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gatti trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferdum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gatti preventing the sweep.
Gatti postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatti trying to control but Ferdum is working from the bottom.
Gatti advances to half guard.
Gatti wants to pass to mount but Ferdum is defending the position.
Gatti passes to side control.
Ferdum is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Ferdum moves into full guard.
Ferdum is pulling down on Gatti's head to control his posture.
Gatti trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferdum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ferdum controlling the position.
Gatti stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ferdum swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatti wants to control from the top but Ferdum keeps moving.
Ferdum not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ferdum keeping moving, preventing Gatti from controlling successfully.
Gatti slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Ferdum wants to sweep here but Gatti controlling him for the moment.
Ferdum thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ferdum throws a series of punches but Gatti avoids them all with ease.
Gatti flicks out a counter leg kick but Ferdum steps away.
Gatti avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gatti slips under a jab from Ferdum.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wabricio Ferdum dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Leonel Gatti's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ferdum scores with a shot to the body.
Ferdum throws a hook but Gatti avoids it easily.
Gatti slips under a jab.
Ferdum misses with an uppercut
and Gatti counters with a stiff right hand.
Ferdum misses with a double jab.
Gatti with the counter takedown but Ferdum avoids it easily.
Gatti misses with a hook.
Ferdum throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Gatti counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Ferdum keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ferdum uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gatti.
Ferdum is looking to counter the offense by Gatti and move into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick from Gatti misses.
Ferdum is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ferdum throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gatti.
And Gatti tries to counter it with a takedown but Ferdum pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gatti steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ferdum.

Ferdum shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gatti's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti looking for a sweep. Not yet Gatti, not yet.
Gatti working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ferdum.
Ferdum wants to control from the top but Gatti keeps moving.
Gatti avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Gatti working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ferdum has passed into half guard!
Ferdum misses with a head shot. Gatti uses the momentum to regain guard.

Gatti looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ferdum looking to pass the guard.
Leonel Gatti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ferdum accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ferdum lands a couple of elbows.
Ferdum wants to control from the top but Gatti keeps moving.
Ferdum is really struggling to control Gatti but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Ferdum lands a couple of digs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ferdum lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ferdum won't allow Gatti to sweep him here.
Gatti keeping moving, preventing Ferdum from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ferdum accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Wabricio Ferdum overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferdum engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Ferdum throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ferdum cracks Gatti with a solid left hand.
Ferdum trying to control but Gatti is working from the bottom.

Ferdum drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Gatti dives on top into guard.

Wabricio Ferdum is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ferdum wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gatti thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ferdum lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ferdum pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gatti is keeping the position for now.
Gatti trying to keep a closed guard but Ferdum is proving a slippery customer.
Gatti keeping moving, preventing Ferdum from controlling successfully.
Ferdum throws a strike but Gatti rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ferdum utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ferdum working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gatti.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wabricio Ferdum showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ferdum has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wabricio Ferdum!
Wabricio Ferdum seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Leonel Gatti spoke after the fight, saying 'Congratulations to the winner. I tried my best. Some days things don't work out. '.