PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hitmon Lee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Javier Gattuso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gattuso has chosen WAR-Low Rider as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Lee
vs
Gattuso

195 cm
30
222 lbs
24 - 12 - 0

194 cm
32
212 lbs
25 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hitmon Lee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Javier Gattuso!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Leandro Rodrigues and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gattuso swinging wildly here.
Lee blocks a head kick by Gattuso.

Lee looking to score a takedown here. Gattuso is defending well but Lee drives through and ends up in Gattuso's guard.
Lee stopping the sweep attempt from Gattuso.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gattuso had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lee defends it easily.
Lee passes Gattuso's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Lee trying to control the action but Gattuso is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lee thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gattuso's head.
Lee trying to control the action but Gattuso is working from the bottom.
Lee looks to land a strike but Gattuso avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gattuso working a defensive guard here.
Lee preventing the sweep.
Lee wants to pass the guard but Gattuso is keeping the position.
Gattuso wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Gattuso keeping full guard, as Lee tries to pass.
Lee passes Gattuso's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gattuso tries to roll over but Lee keeps him under control.
Gattuso tries to kick Lee off but Lee keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Lee is nestled in close to Gattuso, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso wants to improve his position but Lee is controlling well.
Gattuso moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gattuso can't keep his opponent in guard - Lee advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gattuso is not content to let Lee control the position.
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!
Lee thows a huge punch but Gattuso dodges it nicely.
Gattuso is trying to stand.
Gattuso wants to get back to full guard.
Lee is keen to just control but Gattuso is a slippery customer.
Lee thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gattuso keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso tries to get to full guard but Lee has control of the leg.
Lee is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Lee wants to pass the guard but Gattuso is defending well.
Lee not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lee has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gattuso wants to get back to his feet.
Lee missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lee throwing shots but Gattuso is blocking nicely.
Gattuso wants to get back to full guard but Lee has passed into side control.
Lee throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Gattuso works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lee looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Gattuso desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Lee is looking to take a break and control but Gattuso is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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!
Lee is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gattuso wants to improve his position but Lee is controlling well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gattuso looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gattuso won't allow Lee to pass to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hitmon Lee dominated that round.
That's time! Lee's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lee cracks Gattuso with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Lee fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gattuso sprawls well initially but Lee persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Gattuso wants to get back to full guard but Lee has mounted him!
Lee working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Lee lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gattuso is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Gattuso is in all sorts of trouble here.
Lee lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Gattuso is rocked!
Lee cracks Gattuso with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hitmon Lee!
During a confident post fight interview, Hitmon Lee thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.