PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Junkyard Dog (ranked 58 p4p, 291 weight class) and Gaultier Girard (ranked 8 p4p, 38 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Dog
vs
Girard

182 cm
35
195
36 - 22 - 0

196 cm
32
183
21 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLS BALLS RECOVERY
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Aspire Clothing

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 36 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Junkyard Dog!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gaultier Girard!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Girard buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Dog misses with a hook
and Girard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice shot by Dog.
Girard misses with a shot to the body
letting Dog counter with a right hand.
Dog throws a nice outside leg kick.
Girard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Dog has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Girard misses with a low kick as Dog jumps back.
Girard throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Dog counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dog checks the leg kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Dog misses its target.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Dog checks a leg kick.
Girard throws a body punch but Dog moves out of range.
Girard misses with a two punch combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Dog moves into the clinch successfully.
Girard tries to work over Dog's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dog lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Girard backwards.
Dog lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Girard backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dog.
Dog throws a head punch that misses.
Girard blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dog blocks an uppercut.
Dog tries to work over Girard's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Girard cracks Dog with a nice body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Girard fails to land.

Girard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Girard is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dog. Girard does a little dance to reset his feet.
Girard pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Girard scores with a kick to the midsection.
Girard misses the jab.
Dog stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Girard.
Nice shot lands for Dog.
Girard 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.
We've been informed that Girard has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Gaultier Girard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Girard throws a body kick that misses
and Dog counters with a good low kick that Girard was not able to check.
Girard throws a front kick aimed at Dog's knee but Dog avoids it well.
Girard misses with an uppercut.
Dog takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Girard misses with a hook
and Dog cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gaultier Girard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dog checks a leg kick.
Girard lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dog's sensitive parts.
Dog keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dog tried to score with a low kick but Girard checks it.
Girard throws a leg kick but Dog checks it.
A little feinted left hand from Dog on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Girard.
Dog misses with a wild body shot.

Dog drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Dog fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Dog working the ground and pound.
Dog creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Girard sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Dog tries to advance to mount but Girard denies him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dog working the body and head with strikes.
An elbow from Dog crashes against the mat.
Dog is trying to ground and pound but Girard uses the momentary lack of control by Dog to regain half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Dog connects with a nice short shot to Girard's temple.
Girard blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dog.
Girard is trying to get back to full guard.
Dog throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Girard to regain full guard.
Dog loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dog trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dog working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Girard's head.
Dog postures up and lands a big shot to Girard's brow.
Dog postures up.
Dog postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Girard is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Girard is pulling down on Dog's head to control his posture.
Dog with a flurry of punches that miss.
Dog throws a big elbow that misses.
Dog throws a strike but Girard rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Girard won't allow Dog to sweep him here.
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 Junkyard Dog will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Girard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dog keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A quick step to the side and Dog tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Girard feints and then cracks Dog's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Dog down.

Girard tries to keep at a distance but Dog has taken the fight into the clinch.
Girard misses with a punch on the inside.
Dog lands with a short head shot on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Girard.
Dog throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Girards head.
Dog lands with a light punch inside.
Dog can't find room to land a body shot as Girard controls the action.
Girard blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Girard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dog blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dog takes a shot to the head.
Girard scores with a shot to the side of Dog's head.
Dog blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Junkyard Dog has scored more points in the clinch so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dog tries a body shot but Girard blocks it.
Dog lands a body shot in the clinch.
Dog lands with a left to the head.
Dog lands a right hand that snaps the head of Girard backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dog fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Girard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A bone on bone clash there as Girard blocks the leg kick.
Dog throws out a loose jab but Girard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Girard scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Dog throws a hook but Girard blocks it.
Girard throws a body shot but no joy.
Dog displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Girard throws out the jab.
Dog takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Girard ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Girard throws a low kick, looking for Dog's leg but Dog calmly moves out of range.
Girard rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Dog counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dog takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Girard throws a quick inside leg kick.
Girard throws a jab when Dog was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dog throws a hook but Girard blocks it.
The fighters circling - Girard throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dog takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Girard throws a low kick but Dog moves out of range easily.
It looked like Dog wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Girard throws a right hand that misses
and Dog counters with a slapping leg kick.
Girard connects with an inside leg kick.
Dog checks the leg kick nicely there.
Girard misses with a jab to the body
and Dog counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Girard tries to land a body kick
and Dog counters with a nice uppercut.

Girard is rocked!
Girard cracks Dog with a good jab.
Girard is still on wobbly legs! Can Dog finish him?

Dog takes the fight into the clinch.
Girard swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right hook to the body lands for Dog.
Girard seems to have recovered his senses.
Girard is breathing heavily.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Dog creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Girard throws a punch but it's blocked by Dog.
Dog is trying to pull guard but Girard has him pressed against the cage.
Dog throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Girards head.
Dog lands a hook that snaps the head of Girard backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dog misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Girard prevents a body shot from Dog.
Dog swings wildly with an uppercut but Girard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dog digs a right hand underneath Girard's ribcage. Girard let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Girard tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Girard swings wildly with an uppercut but Dog uses good head movement to avoid it.
Girard lands with a short shot to the head.
Girard throws a punch but it's blocked by Dog.
Dog scores with a shot to the side of Girard's head.
Dog lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Dog works on Girard's body with a couple of short punches.
Girard throws a head punch that misses.
Dog prevents Girard from breaking the clinch.

Dog drags the fight down to the ground.

Girard gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Dog with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Dog lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Girard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
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!
Dog buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Girard's jab looks to have found its range, popping Dog under the eye.
Girard walks into a stiff left hand from Dog.
Girard connects with a leg kick.
Dog is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Dog throws a jab when Girard was well out of range.
Dog stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Girard.
Gaultier Girard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dog scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Girard doesn't seem bothered though.
Dog keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
That kick from Dog tenderised Girard's leg. Girard is trying to keep his angry face on.
Dog pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Girard throws a shot to the body.
A low kick from Girard is predictable there

and Dog counters with a single leg into guard. Girard didn't expect that.
Dog postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junkyard Dog dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Girard is looking to score with low kicks.
Gaultier Girard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A jab from Girard finds it's way through Dog's defenses.

Dog has managed to clinch.
Dog has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Girard is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Girard swings wildly with an uppercut but Dog uses good head movement to avoid it.
Girard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Girard fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Girard.
Dog blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Girard tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Girard misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Dog creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dog fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Girard lands a right hand.
Girard presses Dog against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Girard digs a right hand into Dog's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dog's gas tank.
Girard swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Girard lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dog misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dog lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Dog drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Girard misses with the head strike.
Girard tries to break the clinch but Dog is controlling the position.
Dog goes for a takedown attempt but Girard pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Junkyard Dog. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Girard drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Girard bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Girard moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Girard buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Good leg kick by Dog.
A shot to the liver by Dog. Beautiful body shot.
A right-left combo lands from Girard.

It looks like Junkyard Dog has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dog takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Dog uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Girard.
Girard throws a body punch but Dog moves out of range.
Dog throws out a loose jab but Girard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dog lands with a hook. Girard tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Girard misses the shot to the body.
Girard looks for the body kick but Dog saw that one coming.

Dog forces Girard back against the cage and clinches.
Girard digs a right hand into Dog's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dog's gas tank.
Girard doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Girard.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Girard.
Dog softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Dog.
Dog tries to work over Girard's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Dog.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dog.
Dog misses with a body punch.
Still in the clinch, Girard scores with a nice short uppercut.
Girard fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dog misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Dog works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Dog landing some decent shots from guard.
Dog postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Girard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Dog being controlled here momentarily.
Dog in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Junkyard Dog is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dog trying to control the position from guard on top but Girard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Girard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dog trying to control the position from guard on top but Girard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dog with a nice head shot there.
Girard keeping full guard, as Dog tries to pass.
Dog is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Girard looking to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gaultier Girard.
I think Dog 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Junkyard Dog!
An out of breath Junkyard Dog thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.