PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kulata Bitok (ranked 23612 p4p, 2839 weight class) and Justin Gaethje (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Justin Gaethje has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Bitok
vs
Gaethje

182 cm
24
160
27 - 44 - 5

175 cm
37
165
13 - 12 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 44 - 5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kulata Bitok!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Justin Gaethje!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch lands to the side of Bitok 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gaethje's coach down at Master Chai's Dojo was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Gaethje's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Gaethje connects with a looping right hand.
Bitok takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gaethje cracks Bitok with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Gaethje connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gaethje closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Gaethje lets loose with a powerful body kick. Bitok will feel that in the morning.
Gaethje bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gaethje scores with a sloppy right hand. Bitok should have avoided that one.
Gaethje stuffs the takedown.
Bitok ducks right into an uppercut from Gaethje.
Gaethje lands a high kick!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gaethje, as that shot connected.
Bitok with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gaethje counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaethje throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bitok stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gaethje clobbers Bitok with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Bitok on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A jab from Gaethje does it's job there.
Gaethje lands a jab to the nose.
Bitok throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Gaethje scores with a jab to the head.
Gaethje lands with a right hand.
Gaethje lands the left hand.
Justin Gaethje seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gaethje clobbers Bitok with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gaethje slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Bitok takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gaethje throws a series of punches but Bitok moves out of range.
It appears Bitok was looking to counter with a kick there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Gaethje is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Bitok had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Gaethje scores with a kick to the body.
Gaethje works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Gaethje scores with a kick to the body.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Gaethje.
Bitok takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Gaethje keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Bitok crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Gaethje - the referee stops the clock and Bitok gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Gaethje. Bitok manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Bitok is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Gaethje scores with a nice strike.
Gaethje's jab looks to have found its range, popping Bitok under the eye.
A lazy left from Gaethje finds it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gaethje.
Jab by Gaethje.
Gaethje connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gaethje with a nice cross.
A jab from Gaethje does it's job there.
A jab lands there for Gaethje.
Gaethje connects with an inside leg kick.
Bitok looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Good leg kick by Gaethje.
Nice uppercut lands for Gaethje. That snapped Bitok's head back.
Gaethje lands an overhand right.
Bitok will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gaethje lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje with a jab.
Gaethje moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Gaethje lunges at Bitok with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bitok's hand.
Gaethje lands an overhand right.
Gaethje jabs Bitok to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Gaethje fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bitok has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Gaethje scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nice body kick from Gaethje.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gaethje cracks Bitok with a right hand to the side of the head.
Gaethje scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Gaethje lands the left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Gaethje dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A jab lands there for Gaethje.
Gaethje throws a nice looking combination but Bitok bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bitok's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Gaethje connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bitok scrambles back to his feet.
Gaethje moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gaethje.
Bitok fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gaethje avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice shot lands for Gaethje.
Gaethje scores with a push kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Gaethje scores with a head kick. Bitok tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Bitok takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gaethje!
Bitok walks into a stiff left hand from Gaethje.
Gaethje moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Bitok takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bitok looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
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!
A slapping body kick lands there for Gaethje.
Gaethje has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A nice inside leg kick there by Gaethje. That's going to slow Bitok down.
Gaethje lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nice uppercut lands for Gaethje. That snapped Bitok's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bitok has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Bitok there as he acknowledges the shot.
Jab by Gaethje.
Gaethje feints and then cracks Bitok's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bitok down.
Gaethje uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bitok has time to react.
Gaethje lands a front kick.
Gaethje lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bitok's sensitive parts.
Bitok takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bitok takes a kick to the side of the head.
Gaethje lands a jab to the head.
That kick from Gaethje tenderised Bitok's leg. Bitok is trying to keep his angry face on.
Gaethje lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Gaethje finds it's way through Bitok's defenses.
A jab from Gaethje does it's job there.
Justin Gaethje is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gaethje with a jab.
Gaethje lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gaethje.
Gaethje jabs Bitok right on the nose. Bitok blinks but takes it well.
Gaethje lands with a shot to the body.
Bitok on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bitok takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Gaethje connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A decent looking cross lands there for Gaethje.
Bitok takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Jab by Gaethje.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje lunges at Bitok with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bitok's hand.
Gaethje throws out a powerful jab.
Gaethje takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Gaethje lands the left hand.
Gaethje connects with a right hand. Bitok shakes it off.
Gaethje lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Gaethje lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Gaethje lands a head kick. Bitok smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bitok with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gaethje to score with a decent uppercut.
A chopping leg kick lands by Gaethje.
Bitok doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gaethje counters with a straight right hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Gaethje showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Gaethje thuds a left hand into Bitok's body.
Gaethje pushes Bitok away with a front kick.
Gaethje keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Gaethje misses with a wild combination.
Bitok steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Gaethje. That one must have hurt.
Gaethje moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaethje throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Gaethje dips to his left and cracks Bitok with an uppercut!
Gaethje lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Gaethje throws a head kick but Bitok moves out of range.
Bitok is looking to counter with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaethje comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bitok fails with a takedown attempt.
Bitok takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Gaethje lands a head shot.
Bitok on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Gaethje throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bitok.
Gaethje lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Bitok is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Bitok tries to move into range but Gaethje moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gaethje connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Bitok momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A good leg kick by Gaethje.
A nice leg kick from Gaethje, right into the meat of the thigh.
Justin Gaethje seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gaethje lands a head shot.
Gaethje changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice body kick from Gaethje.
Gaethje scores with a nice body kick.
Gaethje throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bitok on the side of the head.
Gaethje connects with a right hand. Bitok shakes it off.
Gaethje lands with a kick to the ribs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A jab lands there for Gaethje.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bitok.
Gaethje throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Bitok has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Bitok there as he acknowledges the shot.
Bitok takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bitok has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Gaethje.
Nice straight punches there by Gaethje. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Gaethje.
Gaethje scores with a hook.
Gaethje scores with a head kick. Bitok tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gaethje lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Bitok backs up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gaethje takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bitok has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A shot to the liver by Gaethje. Beautiful body shot.
Gaethje lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Gaethje lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Gaethje bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Bitok's head.
A nice combination there by Gaethje.
Kulata Bitok has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gaethje throws out a powerful jab.
Gaethje moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No joy there for Gaethje, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bitok throws a quick counter kick to the body but Gaethje avoids it.
Gaethje dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bitok. That did some damage!

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Gaethje comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gaethje has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 24:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 24:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Gaethje!
Justin Gaethje thanked the fans post fight for their support.