PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kota Punga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mick Gerrard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Punga kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is who let the dogs out. Kota Punga has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Punga
vs
Gerrard

169 cm
26
161 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

175 cm
19
160 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Valhalla Q160 Nutrition
Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kota Punga!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mick Gerrard!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Josh West and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Punga shoots for a takedown but Gerrard saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Punga.
Gerrard struggling a bit here.
Gerrard managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Punga.
Punga is looking to take a break and control but Gerrard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Punga tries to score with some ground and pound. Gerrard controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Gerrard is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Gerrard's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gerrard sneaks back into half guard.
Gerrard wants to get back to his feet.
Gerrard preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerrard is trying to stand.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Gerrard won't allow Punga to pass to mount.
Gerrard is trying is best to control the position here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gerrard can do anything to dispel that myth.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mick Gerrard.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Punga.
Punga throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Punga shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gerrard pinned against the ropes. Gerrard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kota Punga. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Punga fails with the takedown
and Gerrard connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gerrard rushes Punga and presses him up against the ropes.
Gerrard lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nice body punch from Gerrard.
Gerrard scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gerrard misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short left from Gerrard.
Gerrard working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short left from Gerrard.
Gerrard lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Punga drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Gerrard breaks the clinch.

Punga closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Gerrard did well to prevent Punga getting side control.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Gerrard tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Punga has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Gerrard holds on to Punga as tight as he can, avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard wants to hold on but Punga pushes him away.
Gerrard working to try and regain half guard.
Punga wants to control the pace but Gerrard is squirming around nicely.

Punga wants to finish this one by submission but Gerrard is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Punga.
Punga won't let Gerrard get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Punga punishing his opponent with strikes.

Punga looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Punga looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Punga looking to finish with strikes here!
Gerrard is working to get back to half guard.

Punga is working for a guillotine from mount but Gerrard frees his head quite easily.
Gerrard is trying to escape the mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gerrard tries to hold on but Punga postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mick Gerrard will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Punga misses with a takedown attempt - Gerrard sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice sprawl there from Gerrard as Punga shoots in.
Gerrard connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Punga displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gerrard throws out the jab.
Kota Punga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gerrard lands a slapping body shot.
Gerrard defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Punga.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kota Punga. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jab from Gerrard.
Punga fails with the takedown.
Gerrard connects with a good right hand that stumbles Punga. Punga circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
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!
Punga tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerrard cracks Punga with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Gerrard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Punga sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kota Punga is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Gerrard has Punga up against the ropes in a clinch.
Gerrard scores with a shot to the side of Punga's head.
Gerrard lands a right hand.
Gerrard lands with a light punch inside.
Gerrard looking to stall.
Gerrard scores with a hook to the body.

Gerrard's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Punga takes one to the chin there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Punga misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Punga shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gerrard as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Punga takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gerrard jabs at Punga's body.
Punga takes a jab right on the kisser.

Punga is rocked!
Punga changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gerrard tries to avoid it but Punga manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gerrard to the ground. Gerrard escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
and Gerrard counters with a massive uppercut that badly hurts Punga! He's just covering up as Gerrard starts to tee off till the referee steps in and stops the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:26 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mick Gerrard!
Mick Gerrard is the new lightweight champion!