PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ernie Farrell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuriorkis Gamboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gamboa has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Yuriorkis Gamboa has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Farrell
vs
Gamboa

210 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

169 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ernie Farrell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yuriorkis Gamboa!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gamboa takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Farrell looks for a takedown but Gamboa sprawls well.

Gamboa looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Farrell!
Farrell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Farrell is looking to regain half guard here but Gamboa keeps moving and retains side control.

Gamboa working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Gamboa wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Farrell, who protects the arm well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gamboa working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gamboa looks winded!
Farrell wants to get back to his feet but Gamboa drags him back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Farrell is looking to regain half guard here but Gamboa keeps moving and retains side control.
Farrell is working hard here to advance position.
Farrell wants to control but Gamboa postures up.
Farrell tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gamboa wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Gamboa tries to advance to mount but can't.
Farrell can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Farrell manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gamboa's best efforts.
Farrell trying to control from the bottom.
Farrell is looking to escape.
Farrell gets full guard.
Farrell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gamboa.

Gamboa drops back looking for a leg! Farrell is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Farrell manages to kick Gamboa off! Gamboa jumps back into Farrell's guard.
Gamboa stopping the sweep attempt from Farrell.
Gamboa wants to pass the guard but Farrell is keeping the position.
Gamboa stops Farrell from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gamboa is working Farrell over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Farrell is working an open guard so Gamboa takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Farrell darts in looking for a takedown but Gamboa gets double underhooks and turns Farrell into the cage.

Gamboa closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Farrell pushes Gamboa off and gets back to his feet.
Farrell looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ernie Farrell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Farrell tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gamboa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Farrell somewhat.
Gamboa is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Gamboa shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Farrell manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gamboa trying to control the position from guard on top but Farrell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Farrell is trying to keep Gamboa in close.
Gamboa wants to control from the top but Farrell keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuriorkis Gamboa dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Farrell is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gamboa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Gamboa looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Farrell manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gamboa manages to get himself to full guard.

Gamboa is trying to control the position but Farrell postures up.
Gamboa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Farrell has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Farrell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Farrell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gamboa is breathing heavily.
Farrell content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Farrell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gamboa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gamboa trying to keep a closed guard but Farrell is proving a slippery customer.
Farrell scoring with some ground and pound.
Gamboa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Farrell is controlling him.
Farrell landing some decent shots from guard.
Gamboa has momentary wrist control but Farrell slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Farrell content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Gamboa uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Gamboa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Farrell.
Farrell will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ernie Farrell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gamboa dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Farrell. That did some damage!
Gamboa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Farrell.

Farrell tries to sprawl but Gamboa drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Farrell makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Farrell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Farrell is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Farrell has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Gamboa wants to control from the top but Farrell keeps moving.
Farrell is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Gamboa is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Farrell's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Farrell's back!
Gamboa somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Even with his hooks in, Gamboa manages to miss with strikes from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Farrell wants to get back to his feet.

Gamboa is looking for the choke from the back position but Farrell is controlling his hands well.

Farrell is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Gamboa gets his way!
Farrell trying to control the hands but Gamboa breaks the grip.
Farrell manages to reverse the position and now he's in Gamboa's guard. Nice work there by Farrell.
Farrell preventing the sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gamboa has his foot on Farrell's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Farrell works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuriorkis Gamboa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Farrell shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gamboa manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Farrell will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Gamboa working a defensive guard here.
Gamboa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gamboa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Farrell.
Farrell lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Farrell landing some decent shots from guard.
Farrell throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Farrell landing some decent shots from guard.
Gamboa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Farrell throwing strikes from guard but Gamboa blocks nicely.
Farrell with a nice head shot there.

Gamboa working for submissions but it's allowed Farrell to get to half guard.

Farrell is looking for a kimura but Gamboa is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Farrell to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gamboa wants to get back to his feet.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Farrell lands a nice short elbow.
Gamboa wants to control but Farrell is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gamboa tries to get to full guard but Farrell has control of the leg.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Gamboa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice sprawl there from Gamboa as Farrell shoots in.
Farrell misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gamboa now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ernie Farrell. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Farrell tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Gamboa defends well and Farrell ends up having to push Gamboa into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Gamboa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Farrell throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Farrell doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Gamboa counter with a right hand.
Gamboa lands a nice leg kick that just misses Farrell's sensitive parts.
Farrell shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gamboa pinned against the cage. Gamboa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
No luck for Farrell with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gamboa gets a double leg takedown into Farrell's guard.
Farrell is looking to stand back up but Gamboa counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Farrell.

Gamboa stands up from half guard.

Gamboa shoots in and bounces Farrell off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Farrell is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Gamboa presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Ernie Farrell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yuriorkis Gamboa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Farrell swings away with an uppercut that misses.

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 Ernie Farrell.
I think Gamboa 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuriorkis Gamboa!