PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pierre Gautier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikal Helio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Helio has chosen Brazil National Anthem as his entrance music. Pierre Gautier has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gautier
vs
Helio

187 cm
37
202 lbs
33 - 13 - 0

190 cm
34
195 lbs
26 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sinister Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pierre Gautier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Mikal Helio!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Steve Montenegro and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Helio shoots in for a takedown but Gautier shows good takedown defense.

Helio gets a double leg takedown into Gautier's guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Gautier keeping moving, preventing Helio from controlling successfully.
Gautier bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Helio's guard.
Helio has a closed guard, preventing Gautier from standing up.
Helio pulls Gautier in close to prevent any damage.

Mikal Helio has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Helio takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Helio closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gautier circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gautier is looking to clinch.

Helio drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Gautier is trying to escape the position but Helio is controlling the position.

Helio thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Helio is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gautier has escaped the position, nice work there.
Helio misses with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Helio is trying to get an arm triangle but Gautier is defending well.

Helio is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gautier is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Helio working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gautier is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Helio has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Helio tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Helio has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Helio is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gautier is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Helio wants to control but Gautier is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Gautier's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Helio tries to score with some ground and pound. Gautier controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gautier is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Helio scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Gautier to see if he's OK.

Helio looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Helio goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Gautier rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Helio's guard! Nice work there by Gautier!
Gautier won't allow Helio to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikal Helio dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Helio shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gautier defends it nicely.
Helio shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice sprawl there from Gautier as Helio shoots in.
Pierre Gautier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikal Helio.
Helio dives in for a single leg takedown but Gautier sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Gautier tries a body shot but Helio blocks it.
Still in the clinch, Gautier scores with a nice short uppercut.
Helio looking for a takedown.
Gautier wants to stall.
Helio is looking for a takedown.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gautier.
Helio tries to score a body lock takedown but Gautier shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gautier.
Helio tries for a takedown. No joy.
Helio has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Gautier avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gautier.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Helio has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gautier after a bit of a struggle.
Helio is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Gautier.
Helio misses with a body punch.
Gautier lands a right hand.
Helio tries for a takedown but Gautier manages to get underhooks.
Helio changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gautier fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mikal Helio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Helio moves out of range of the body kick.

Helio feints and as Gautier raises his hands in defense, Helio changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gautier trying to control the position here.

Helio drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Helio jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gautier tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helio prevents Gautier from getting back to his feet.
Helio looking to pass the guard.
Helio trying to control but Gautier is working from the bottom.
Helio missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Helio wants to pass the guard but Gautier is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Helio has gone for a leg lock! Gautier slips out almost immediately though and dives into Helio's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Helio looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pierre Gautier has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Helio scores with a takedown into Gautier's guard.
Helio tries to free his leg and advance position but Gautier is retaining full guard.

Helio drops back looking for a leg! Gautier is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gautier manages to kick Helio off! Helio jumps back into Gautier's guard.
Helio missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mikal Helio has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helio being controlled here momentarily.
Helio trying to control but Gautier is working from the bottom.
Helio loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Helio throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gautier works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Helio trying to control but Gautier is working from the bottom.
Helio looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikal Helio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Helio gets a takedown into half guard.
Gautier keeping hold of Helio's head, controlling as best he can.
Helio throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gautier wants to get back to his feet.
Helio is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Gautier reverses the position - he's now on top in Helio's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gautier would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Pierre Gautier wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Helio closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gautier circles away.
Gautier looks to land a body kick but Helio moved away.
Helio throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gautier's waist but Gautier gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Helio off to one side.
Gautier tries to clinch up.
Gautier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gautier throws a head kick that misses.
Helio shoots in looking for a takedown. Gautier tries to sprawl out of it but Helio keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gautier manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pierre Gautier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikal Helio.
Gautier swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gautier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Helio tries for a takedown but Gautier sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gautier lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Helio at a distance.
Pierre Gautier is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Helio shoots in for a double leg but Gautier sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Helio shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gautier defends it nicely.
Helio takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Helio takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gautier just misses with a punch to the body.
Helio is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gautier sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gautier throws out a leg kick but Helio moves out of range and Gautier only half commits.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Helio.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gautier throws a head kick that misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Helio checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gautier swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Helio goes for a double leg but Gautier avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gautier continues to drive forward.
Gautier lands a hook that snaps the head of Helio backwards.
Helio blocks a body shot from Gautier.
Gautier prevents a takedown attempt there.
Helio has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gautier is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gautier lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Helio wants the takedown. Gautier is fighting it off but Helio persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Gautier's guard against the cage.
Gautier controls Helio momentarily but Helio frees himself.
Gautier tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Helio is looking to work some ground and pound but Gautier has wrist control.
Helio in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helio won't allow Gautier to get back to his feet.
Helio trying to control but Gautier is working from the bottom.
Helio won't allow Gautier to sweep him here.
Helio wants to control from the top but Gautier keeps moving.
Mikal Helio is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gautier throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Helio keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Helio fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gautier throws a hook to the side of Helio's head but Helio sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gautier throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pierre Gautier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Helio shoots in but no luck this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Pierre Gautier.
I think Helio 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikal Helio!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Mikal Helio waved his t-shirt featuring Sinister Nutrition's logo in front of the cameras.