PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Panfilo Acerbi (ranked 3291 p4p, 3644 weight class) and Gabriele Ghiotto (ranked 239 p4p, 253 weight class). Acerbi comes to the cage accompanied by Boom Boom Boom Boom - Venga Boys. Panfilo Acerbi has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Acerbi
vs
Ghiotto

176 cm
25
143
4 - 5 - 0

165 cm
24
135
7 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Fast

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Panfilo Acerbi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gabriele Ghiotto!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Andrew Berry and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Acerbi jabs Ghiotto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Acerbi misses with a wild combination.
Acerbi lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Acerbi.

Acerbi gets caught flat footed, as Ghiotto shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Acerbi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Acerbi wants to sweep here but Ghiotto controlling him for the moment.
Acerbi has a closed guard, preventing Ghiotto from standing up.

Acerbi looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Ghiotto passes into side control.
Acerbi is trying to work for a sweep but Ghiotto has mounted him!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Acerbi wants to control but Ghiotto is having none of it.
Acerbi tries to reverse the position but Ghiotto maintains control.
Acerbi tries to improve his position but instead Ghiotto has taken his back!
Acerbi tries to escape the position.
Our spies down at at The Jungle Room inform us that Ghiotto has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Acerbi trying to control the hands but Ghiotto won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Acerbi rolls, trying to escape but Ghiotto keeps control of the position.
Acerbi rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Acerbi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Acerbi.
Acerbi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ghiotto is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Acerbi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ghiotto can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Acerbi looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Ghiotto passes into half guard.
Ghiotto wants to stand up but Acerbi is controlling the position.

Acerbi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ghiotto pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Acerbi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ghiotto pulls his head out easily.
Ghiotto wants to stand up but Acerbi has a hold of him and won't allow it.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Acerbi tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Ghiotto has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Acerbi keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gabriele Ghiotto will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Acerbi misses with a two punch combination.

Ghiotto closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Acerbi did well to prevent Ghiotto getting side control.

Acerbi actively working from the bottom here.

Acerbi looking for submissions off his back.
It looks like Ghiotto is going to stand back up.

Acerbi looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Ghiotto pushes past his half guard into mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Acerbi is trying to escape the mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ghiotto get's back to his feet.
Ghiotto shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Acerbi sprawls well. Acerbi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ghiotto gets slowly back to his feet.
Ghiotto fails with a takedown attempt.
Acerbi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Panfilo Acerbi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ghiotto doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Acerbi to counter with a crisp jab.
Panfilo Acerbi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriele Ghiotto.
Ghiotto shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Acerbi counters with a right hand to the body.
Acerbi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ghiotto is breathing heavily.
Ghiotto takes a jab right on the kisser.
A slapping body kick lands there for Acerbi.
Acerbi with a nice calf kick.

Acerbi gets caught napping as Ghiotto dives in and scores a takedown. Acerbi manages to retain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Acerbi looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Ghiotto has picked Acerbi up and slammed him! Acerbi can't keep hold of the triangle and Ghiotto manages to pass to side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Acerbi is looking for a sweep.
Ghiotto working away.
Acerbi tries to bench press Ghiotto off him but Ghiotto keeps the position.
Acerbi manages to get back to half guard.
Acerbi wants to get back to full guard but Ghiotto has mounted him!
Acerbi is desperately trying to improve his position but Ghiotto has a good base and remains in mount.
Acerbi wants to hold on but Ghiotto pushes him away.
Ghiotto wants to get back to his feet but Acerbi is holding on tight.
Acerbi tries to hold on but Ghiotto postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghiotto wants to get back to his feet but Acerbi is holding on tight.
Ghiotto avoids the attempt from Acerbi to control.
Ghiotto is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Acerbi working to try and regain half guard.

That's four 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.
Acerbi is working hard here to advance position.
Acerbi gets back to half guard.

Acerbi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ghiotto pulls his head out easily.
Ghiotto prevents Acerbi from improving his position.
Ghiotto wants to stand but Acerbi has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Acerbi is trying to control but can't.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriele Ghiotto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Acerbi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ghiotto shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Acerbi pinned against the cage. Acerbi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gabriele Ghiotto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Acerbi lands a nice hook to Ghiotto's body. Ghiotto takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Acerbi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ghiotto.
Acerbi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ghiotto.
Acerbi tests Ghiotto's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Acerbi scores with a hook to the body. Ghiotto takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Acerbi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ghiotto.
Acerbi leaves Ghiotto with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Acerbi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Panfilo Acerbi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriele Ghiotto.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Acerbi throws a series of punches but Ghiotto moves out of range.
Ghiotto fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ghiotto moves out of range as Acerbi strikes.
Ghiotto misses with a takedown
and Acerbi counters with a series of strikes. Ghiotto will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ghiotto manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Acerbi on his heels. He'll look to pass Acerbi's guard now, I'm sure.

Acerbi working for a triangle but Ghiotto defends it easily.
Acerbi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ghiotto wants to get up but he can't break Acerbi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Acerbi is looking for a triangle here but Ghiotto uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Acerbi tries to buck Ghiotto off but Ghiotto is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Acerbi manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ghiotto's best efforts.
Acerbi has a hand on Ghiotto's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Ghiotto takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Acerbi is looking to improve his position but Ghiotto isn't that keen on the idea.
Acerbi slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Ghiotto wants to stand but Acerbi has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Acerbi trying to hold on to Ghiotto's head to control him but Ghiotto postures up.
It looks like Ghiotto is going to stand back up.
Acerbi is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ghiotto tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Acerbi.
Acerbi manages to get to full guard.

Acerbi isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Ghiotto stacks Acerbi on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Ghiotto!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Acerbi tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Ghiotto presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Panfilo Acerbi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ghiotto 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

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