PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hilton Schultz (ranked 25518 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carmine Gambino (ranked 8753 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Schultz
vs
Gambino

196 cm
20
214 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

185 cm
18
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hilton Schultz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Carmine Gambino!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Schultz scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Schultz is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Gambino is trying to control but can't.
Gambino is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gambino wants to get back to his feet.
Gambino wants to sweep but Schultz has passed to side control!
Gambino is looking to regain half guard here but Schultz keeps moving and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gambino is letting Schultz control him for a moment.
Gambino manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambino not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Schultz wants to control but Gambino is keeping busy.
Gambino trying to control the action but Schultz is working from the bottom.
Schultz is concentrating on defense, preventing Gambino from advancing position.

Schultz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Schultz has his hands clasped together around Gambino's back. He's all about the action.
Gambino missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Schultz throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Schultz is pressing down on Gambino's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Schultz looking to control.
Gambino throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Schultz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Schultz wants to stand up but Gambino is controlling him.
Gambino wants to stand but Schultz is controlling his posture from full guard.
Schultz wants to sweep here but Gambino controlling him for the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Gambino gets tackled into the cage by Schultz. Schultz maintains the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schultz gets underhooks to prevent Gambino's takedown attempt.
Gambino misses with an elbow strike.
Gambino tries to pull guard but Schultz won't allow it.
Gambino blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gambino is trying to drag Schultz to the mat but Schultz just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hilton Schultz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carmine Gambino.

Schultz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gambino throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gambino or perhaps it was just good defense by Schultz, which made it look bad.
Schultz throws a big counter combination but Gambino scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Schultz throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gambino was covering up waiting for the punch and Schultz finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Gambino wriggles free and stands up.
Gambino tries for a takedown but Schultz circles away easily

and Schultz counters by clinching up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gambino looking to stall.

Schultz breaks from the clinch.
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 Hilton Schultz will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nice sprawl there from Schultz as Gambino shoots in.

Schultz changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gambino looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Schultz is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gambino knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gambino is trying to control Schultz's posture but Schultz avoids it.
Gambino is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Schultz asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Schultz avoids the strikes from the bottom by Gambino.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambino bucks up and tries to throw Schultz off but instead Schultz has got his back!
Gambino wants to get back to his feet.
Gambino tries to escape but Schultz has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gambino trying to get back to his feet but Schultz is in full control for now.

Schultz working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Gambino wants to get back to his feet.
Schultz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gambino can do to turn this around?
Schultz doesn't have the hooks in and Gambino manages to turn into his guard.
Schultz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Schultz will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Schultz is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gambino is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schultz lands some strikes from the bottom.

Gambino gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
No luck for Gambino with that takedown attempt.
Gambino throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Gambino throws a combination. Schultz tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Gambino lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Gambino throws a leg kick that is checked

and Schultz counters by clinching up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gambino is trying to drag Schultz to the mat but Schultz just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hilton Schultz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carmine Gambino.
Gambino scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Schultz lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Schultz pulls Gambino into guard.
Hilton Schultz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
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!
Schultz looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gambino avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Gambino is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Carmine Gambino will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Gambino closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gambino is trying to stall.
Schultz slowing the pace effectively.
Schultz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gambino throws a knee to the head but misses.

Schultz manages to break the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Gambino.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambino throws a series of punches but Schultz avoids them all with ease.
Schultz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gambino.
Gambino fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Schultz avoids it really well and circles away.
Schultz is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Gambino.
Gambino lands with a cross.

Schultz closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schultz trying to land knees to the body.
Gambino tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Schultz smiles and moves away.
Gambino throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Schultz counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Schultz.
Gambino wants to take the fight to the mat but Schultz manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Hilton Schultz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carmine Gambino.

Schultz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gambino tries to land a front kick but Schultz steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Gambino has managed to clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Schultz.
Schultz stalling.

Schultz has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Gambino uses from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gambino missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Schultz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Schultz controlling the position.
Gambino working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Schultz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gambino wants to pass the guard but Schultz is keeping the position.
Gambino with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gambino in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Schultz tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four 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.
Schultz lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Gambino looking for a guillotine here but Schultz defends easily.
Gambino takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Gambino has his foot on Schultz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Schultz works his way back into a safe position though.
Schultz is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Schultz seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Gambino for as long as he can get away with.

Gambino has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Schultz off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Carmine Gambino.
I think Gambino has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Carmine Gambino!