PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alex Gutierrez (ranked 4034 p4p, 416 weight class) and CJ Miller (ranked 5691 p4p, 474 weight class). CJ Miller told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Gutierrez
vs
Miller

191 cm
22
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

160 cm
22
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alex Gutierrez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, CJ Miller!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Bruno Lombardi and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gutierrez fails to land with a series of punches.
Miller goes for a double leg but Gutierrez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gutierrez continues to drive forward.
Miller bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
As Gutierrez backs off Miller throws a huge counter combo but Gutierrez manages to avoid it all.
Gutierrez scores with a kick to the midsection.

Miller drives through with a takedown into Gutierrez's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Gutierrez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Miller should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Miller advances to half guard.
Miller stops Gutierrez from getting back to his feet.
Gutierrez tries to roll over but Miller keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gutierrez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Miller on the ground.
Miller is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Gutierrez!
Miller takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller tries to push Gutierrez's head away but Gutierrez is holding on tight.
Miller controlling the position easily from mount.
Miller looking to finish with strikes here!
Gutierrez in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Miller jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Gutierrez manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Miller wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gutierrez keeps working.
Gutierrez on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Miller postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Miller has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gutierrez prevents Miller from improving position.
Gutierrez can't do much from the bottom here.
Gutierrez avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Miller.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gutierrez sneaks out the side door and pushes Miller away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
A cross from Gutierrez lands.
Miller darts in looking for a takedown but Gutierrez gets double underhooks and turns Miller into the cage.
Gutierrez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Gutierrez fails to land with a series of punches.
Miller is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Miller throws a head kick that misses.
Gutierrez pushes Miller away with a front kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Gutierrez darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Gutierrez has managed to clinch.

Gutierrez breaks the clinch.
Alex Gutierrez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gutierrez lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
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!
A swing and a miss from Gutierrez.
Miller tries to counter by closing the distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gutierrez slips under a jab from Miller.
Gutierrez swinging wildly here.
Good shot there by Gutierrez.
Gutierrez lands with a nice body kick.
Miller is looking to clinch but Gutierrez is avoiding it.
Gutierrez throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Miller counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gutierrez scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Miller manages to mount him!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Miller scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Gutierrez?
Miller controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Gutierrez dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Miller is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gutierrez's half guard.
Miller throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
CJ Miller has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gutierrez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Miller is looking to advance position but Gutierrez won't allow it.
Well, if Miller is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miller moves nicely into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller trying to control the position but Gutierrez is working away.
Gutierrez is looking for a sweep.
Gutierrez wants to get back to his feet.

Miller decides to stand back up.
Alex Gutierrez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A left and a right from Gutierrez both land. Nice combination.
Alex Gutierrez is winning the standup battle so far.
Gutierrez lands with a thumping leg kick.
Gutierrez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jab by Gutierrez.
Miller looks to land a combination but Gutierrez avoids it well.

Gutierrez clinches with his opponent.
Gutierrez looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Miller tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gutierrez smiles and moves away.
Nice cross by Gutierrez.

Miller has managed to clinch.
Miller can't break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gutierrez is fighting off a takedown attempt but Miller is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Gutierrez to the mat. Gutierrez regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Miller trying to control but Gutierrez is working from the bottom.
Gutierrez is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Miller wants to control from the top but Gutierrez keeps moving.
Gutierrez keeping full guard, as Miller tries to pass.
Gutierrez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Miller throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller scoring with some ground and pound.
Miller prevents Gutierrez from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Miller has a takedown stuffed.
Gutierrez misses with a body kick.
Gutierrez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gutierrez fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Miller is out of range.
Gutierrez is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Miller tries to clinch but Gutierrez moves out of range.
A big right from Gutierrez misses.
Gutierrez throws a left and a right that both miss
and Miller counters with a left and a right that stings Gutierrez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but CJ Miller will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Gutierrez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Miller has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Gutierrez lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Gutierrez misses with a hook
and Miller counters with a nice uppercut.
Gutierrez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gutierrez wants it to stay on the feet.
Miller doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Miller walks forward, straight into a front kick from Gutierrez.

Miller darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
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!
Gutierrez is concentrating on defense, preventing Miller from advancing position.
Miller controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller prevents Gutierrez from standing back up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Miller in particular looking to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gutierrez tries to get to full guard but Miller has control of the leg.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gutierrez throws a left and a right that both miss

and Miller counters with a shoot takedown. Gutierrez fights it but they end up in guard.
Miller is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Miller gets to his feet - Gutierrez follows without any prompting.
Miller fails to land the takedown.
Miller takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Miller closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Gutierrez's guard.

Gutierrez scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Gutierrez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gutierrez has been working on his balance at The Kegerator - 650$, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Miller.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Miller. Gutierrez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gutierrez misses with a two punch combination.

Miller fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gutierrez sprawls well initially but Miller persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Gutierrez is looking to escape.
Gutierrez slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Miller trying to control the position from guard on top but Gutierrez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gutierrez has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Miller has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Gutierrez gets through Miller's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Gutierrez.
Miller tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gutierrez smiles and moves away.
Alex Gutierrez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of CJ Miller.
Gutierrez looks to score with a jab to the body but Miller is just out of range.
Gutierrez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Miller moves forwards but Gutierrez connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Miller takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Gutierrez is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Miller shoots in looking for a takedown. Gutierrez tries to sprawl out of it but Miller keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gutierrez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Miller tries to clinch but Gutierrez moves out of range.
Miller on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Gutierrez feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Miller's calf.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Gutierrez showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gutierrez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28

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