PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jacob Gayle (ranked 25234 p4p, 7085 weight class) and Wisdom Nzelibe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jacob Gayle could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Wisdom Nzelibe 's chin.

Gayle
vs
Nzelibe

183 cm
25
225
2 - 6 - 0

187 cm
20
226
0 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

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 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jacob Gayle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Wisdom Nzelibe !
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Michael Johnstone and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nzelibe misses with a takedown
and Gayle counters with a stiff right hand.
A head kick from Nzelibe lands but Gayle takes it in his stride.
Nzelibe swings for the body but Gayle moves out of range.

Nzelibe has managed to clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nzelibe throws an elbow but misses.
Nzelibe gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gayle.
Gayle is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Nzelibe to keep the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nzelibe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've been hearing reports that Gayle has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Nzelibe shoots in for a takedown but Gayle shows good takedown defense.
A quick step to the side and Gayle tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gayle throws a right and a left that Nzelibe avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gayle blocks a head kick by Nzelibe .
Gayle jabs at Nzelibe 's body.
Gayle will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jacob Gayle. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gayle rushes Nzelibe and presses him up against the cage.

Nzelibe has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Gayle uses from the top position.
Nzelibe trying to control the position here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gayle accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gayle trying to control but Nzelibe is working from the bottom.

Gayle avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Our spies down at at Cozad The Island inform us that Nzelibe has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Nzelibe is pulling down on Gayle's head. It's preventing any offense from Gayle, at least for the moment.
Gayle has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nzelibe tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Nzelibe is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nzelibe looks winded!
Gayle keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nzelibe 's head.
Gayle trying to control but Nzelibe is working from the bottom.
Gayle has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Nzelibe is proving hard to escape from.

Nzelibe is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Gayle presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nzelibe obliges.
Gayle wants to stall.

Nzelibe manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Nzelibe had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gayle defends it easily.
Gayle is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nzelibe has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Gayle lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wisdom Nzelibe dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nzelibe takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nzelibe walks forward, straight into a front kick from Gayle.
Gayle doesn't manage to clinch there - Nzelibe circles away.

Gayle drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gayle takes a little break here. Nzelibe wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gayle trying to control the position but Nzelibe is working away.
Nzelibe is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gayle is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Nzelibe has escaped the position, nice work there.
Nzelibe holds on to Gayle's head and controls the position momentarily.

Nzelibe bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Gayle wants to clinch up but Nzelibe keeps it at a distance.
Nzelibe fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Gayle closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Nzelibe quickly recovers to half guard.

Nzelibe manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Gayle keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Nzelibe 's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Gayle breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gayle fails with the takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gayle looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gayle shoots in but Nzelibe avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gayle punishes Nzelibe 's body with a nice straight punch.
Nzelibe tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gayle sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nzelibe somewhat.

Gayle closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nzelibe did well to prevent Gayle getting side control.
Gayle wants to free his trapped foot but Nzelibe is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Nzelibe trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nzelibe actively working from the bottom here.
Nzelibe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Gayle is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
It looks like Gayle is going to stand back up.
Gayle trying to control from Nzelibe 's half guard. Nzelibe has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nzelibe is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Wisdom Nzelibe will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gayle gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Nzelibe counters with a shoot takedown. Gayle fights it but they end up in guard.
Wisdom Nzelibe has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gayle is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nzelibe is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Gayle is trying to keep Nzelibe in close.
Nzelibe passes into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nzelibe slips a nice elbow through Gayle's hands, connecting with Gayle's forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nzelibe working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Well, if Nzelibe is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Nzelibe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Nzelibe is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gayle is just riding it out for now. Nzelibe eventually gives up the hold.
Nzelibe takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gayle is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nzelibe looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Gayle wants to get back to his feet.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Nzelibe is figuring out what he wants to do next.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nzelibe fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gayle, pushing him back against the cage.
Gayle tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nzelibe just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gayle misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Nzelibe has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Gayle is trying to keep an underhook but Nzelibe manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Gayle makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
A head kick by Gayle misses
and Nzelibe counters with a left and a right that stings Gayle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Gayle gets caught napping as Nzelibe dives in and scores a takedown. Gayle manages to retain guard.
Gayle wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nzelibe looking to pass the guard.
Nzelibe trying to control but Gayle is working from the bottom.

Gayle escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nzelibe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nzelibe controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Jacob Gayle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wisdom Nzelibe is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gayle escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nzelibe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wisdom Nzelibe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nzelibe winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wisdom Nzelibe !