PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Travis Brookes (ranked 6050 p4p, 462 weight class) and Speedy Gamboa (ranked 5249 p4p, 0 weight class). Speedy Gamboa is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Brookes
vs
Gamboa

175 cm
25
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

171 cm
26
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Travis Brookes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Speedy Gamboa!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Skip Squint and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brookes misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gamboa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
It looked like Brookes was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gamboa.
Brookes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gamboa tries to avoid it but Brookes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gamboa to the ground. Gamboa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Brookes closes the distance and clinches up with Gamboa, looking for a takedown. Brookes pushes Gamboa against the cage but Gamboa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gamboa unleashes a big counter combination but Brookes bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Brookes fails with the takedown
and Gamboa counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Travis Brookes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brookes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Brookes wants it to stay on the feet.
Gamboa just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brookes changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Gamboa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gamboa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Brookes digs a right hand underneath Gamboa's ribcage. Gamboa let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brookes looking for a takedown.
Gamboa tries to break the clinch but Brookes is controlling the position.
Gamboa wants to take the fight to the mat but Brookes manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Gamboa.
Gamboa looking for a takedown.

Brookes jumps guard and drags Gamboa to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Gamboa won't allow Brookes to sweep him here.
Brookes can't keep his opponent in guard - Gamboa advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gamboa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Brookes is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gamboa keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Brookes trying to control here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Gamboa fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brookes closes the distance and pushes Gamboa back into the cage.

Gamboa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Brookes clinches up against the cage.
Brookes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Brookes has Gamboa pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gamboa manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Gamboa can't get the takedown.
Gamboa missing with knees to the body.
Gamboa misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Brookes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Brookes moves into range and clinches up with Gamboa.
Gamboa wants to break free but Brookes has control.
Gamboa taking a breather.
Brookes is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Gamboa tries to pull guard but Brookes forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Brookes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Brookes shoots in but Gamboa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gamboa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Brookes is trying to pull guard but Gamboa has him pressed against the cage.
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 Travis Brookes will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gamboa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gamboa misses with a takedown attempt - Brookes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Gamboa darts in and clinches Brookes up against the cage.
Gamboa tries to pull guard but Brookes forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Brookes is trying to pull guard but Gamboa has him pressed against the cage.
Gamboa wants a takedown but no success here.
Travis Brookes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Speedy Gamboa.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brookes is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Brookes jumps guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brookes has a closed guard, preventing Gamboa from standing up.
Brookes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Brookes wants to sweep but no luck.
Gamboa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Brookes bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gamboa's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brookes preventing the sweep.
Brookes prevents Gamboa from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Brookes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gamboa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Gamboa manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Gamboa is trying to pull guard but Brookes has him pressed against the cage.
Brookes blocks a body shot from Gamboa.
Brookes tries to stall but Gamboa uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Gamboa jumps guard but Brookes stands there with Gamboa around his waist. Gamboa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gamboa being controlled against the cage.
Brookes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gamboa just stands there and leans against the cage.
Brookes gets underhooks to prevent Gamboa's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brookes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Brookes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gamboa avoids it really well and circles away.

Brookes has Gamboa up against the cage in a clinch.
Travis Brookes has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Brookes breaks from the clinch.
Brookes shoots in and drives through. Gamboa sprawls well.
Brookes shoots in for a takedown but Gamboa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gamboa misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gamboa tries to bum rush Brookes with a series of wild strikes but Brookes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gamboa throws a sloppy head kick and Brookes moves out of range easily.
Gamboa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Brookes's waist but Brookes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gamboa off to one side.
Nice takedown defense from Gamboa. No joy for Brookes on that attempt.
As Brookes backs off Gamboa throws a huge counter combo but Brookes manages to avoid it all.
Gamboa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Brookes tries to clinch up but Gamboa circles away and keeps his distance.
Brookes fails to land the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Brookes dives in for a single leg takedown but Gamboa sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Gamboa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Brookes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gamboa somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Speedy Gamboa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Gamboa fails with a takedown attempt.
Brookes stuffs the takedown.
Gamboa avoids the head kick by Brookes.
Gamboa wants to counter with a clinch but Brookes pushes him away.
Nice sprawl there from Gamboa as Brookes shoots in.
Brookes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gamboa wants to counter the offense by Brookes and move into the clinch position.
Brookes dives in and grabs Gamboa's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gamboa pushes down on Brookes's head and hops out.
As Brookes backs off Gamboa throws a huge counter combo but Brookes manages to avoid it all.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Travis Brookes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gamboa pushes Brookes up against the cage in a clinch.
Gamboa slowing the pace effectively.
Brookes tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gamboa is working for takedown but Brookes is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brookes jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Gamboa walks away with a smile on his face. Brookes gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Gamboa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Brookes tries to avoid it but Gamboa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Brookes to the ground. Brookes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gamboa just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromBrookes.
Brookes throws a hook to the side of Gamboa's head but Gamboa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Brookes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gamboa throws a body punch but Brookes moves out of range.
Brookes tries to counter with a takedown but Gamboa is quick to defend against it.
Brookes ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Brookes swats away the attempt to clinch by Gamboa.
Travis Brookes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gamboa misses with a straight left.
Gamboa fails with the takedown.

Brookes rushes Gamboa and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gamboa will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Brookes up against the cage.
Brookes is pressed up against the cage. Gamboa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Brookes down to the mat. Brookes avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gamboa keeps the fight on the outside.
A head kick misses from Brookes.
Gamboa tries a head kick but it misses.
Gamboa stuffs the takedown attempt from Brookes. Brookes gets slowly back to his feet.

Gamboa has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brookes manages to break the clinch.
Gamboa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Brookes's waist but Brookes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gamboa off to one side.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Brookes.
Gamboa is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Brookes with a body shot.
Gamboa moves in looking to clinch but Brookes pushes him off.
Brookes is looking for a counter combo.

Gamboa throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Brookes tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gamboa is in Brookes's guard.
Gamboa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Gamboa tries to free his leg and advance position but Brookes is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Brookes is looking for a triangle but Gamboa pushes his legs off easily.

Gamboa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Brookes has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gamboa has managed to get both his arms back between Brookes's legs - danger averted.
Brookes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Gamboa gets to his feet - Brookes follows without any prompting.
Gamboa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gamboa misses with a takedown attempt - Brookes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Brookes appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Gamboa stuffs the takedown attempt from Brookes. Brookes gets slowly back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Speedy Gamboa.
I think Gamboa 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Speedy Gamboa!