PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aadeep Lal Tamang (ranked 5881 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodrigo Batista (ranked 24128 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Lal Tamang
vs
Batista

167 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

157 cm
25
156 lbs
2 - 6 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aadeep Lal Tamang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rodrigo Batista!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Columbo Gatti and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lal Tamang looks for a takedown but Batista sprawls well.
Lal Tamang stuffs the takedown.
Lal Tamang fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Batista avoids it really well and circles away.
Lal Tamang tries for a takedown but Batista circles away easily

and Batista counters by moving into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aadeep Lal Tamang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Batista dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lal Tamang is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Batista to keep the fight standing.
Lal Tamang can't get the takedown.
Batista is trying to drag Lal Tamang to the mat but Lal Tamang just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Batista slows down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batista managing to block the knees to the body from Lal Tamang.
Lal Tamang taking a breather.
Batista is trying to force a seperation but Lal Tamang has the dominant position.
Lal Tamang jumps guard but Batista stands there with Lal Tamang around his waist. Lal Tamang gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Batista tries to land knees in the clinch but Lal Tamang avoids the damage to the body.
Batista drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lal Tamang looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

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.
Lal Tamang is trying to maintain a safe position but Batista gets an underhook and turns Lal Tamang into the cage.
Lal Tamang is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Batista to keep the fight standing.
Lal Tamang throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Batista blocks it with crossed arms.

Batista jumps guard and drags Lal Tamang to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Lal Tamang would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Batista escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lal Tamang gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Lal Tamang tries to free his leg and advance position but Batista is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batista looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Batista working a defensive guard here.
Lal Tamang preventing the sweep.
Lal Tamang trying to control but Batista is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Batista trying to keep a closed guard but Lal Tamang is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lal Tamang pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Batista shapes to counter with a head kick.
Lal Tamang gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Batista counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Batista.

That's four 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.
Batista stops a takedown attempt from Lal Tamang.
Lal Tamang prevents Batista from breaking the clinch.
Lal Tamang wants to take the fight to the mat but Batista manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Batista as Lal Tamang tries to tie him up.
Lal Tamang stops a takedown attempt from Batista.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lal Tamang.

Batista has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Lal Tamang uses from the top position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Batista looking for a sweep. Not yet Batista, not yet.
Lal Tamang pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Batista is keeping the position for now.
Lal Tamang preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Batista dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Batista dives in for a single leg takedown but Lal Tamang sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Lal Tamang tries for a takedown but Batista sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lal Tamang moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromBatista.
Lal Tamang closes the distance and clinches up with Batista, looking for a takedown. Lal Tamang pushes Batista against the cage but Batista circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Batista is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
A combination from Batista does no damage.
Lal Tamang is looking to counter the offense by Batista and move into the clinch.
Lal Tamang is looking to clinch but Batista is avoiding it.
Batista with the counter takedown but Lal Tamang avoids it easily.
Lal Tamang tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
No luck for Batista with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lal Tamang moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Batista is breathing heavily.
Lal Tamang misses with a double jab

and Batista holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batista is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Lal Tamang is defending well.
Aadeep Lal Tamang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrigo Batista.
Batista is looking to break free of the clinch but Lal Tamang has double underhooks.

Batista decides to pull guard.
Lal Tamang knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Batista on the ground.
Batista looking to control.
Batista keeping moving, preventing Lal Tamang from controlling successfully.
Lal Tamang postures up in Batista's guard and throws a big left but Batista blocks it.
Lal Tamang throws a big elbow that misses.
Lal Tamang trying to control the position from guard on top but Batista is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lal Tamang tries to clinch up.
Lal Tamang stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lal Tamang wants it to stay on the feet.
Lal Tamang is looking to counter the offense by Batista and move into the clinch.
Batista keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lal Tamang shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lal Tamang throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Batista has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Lal Tamang tries to keep at a distance but Batista has taken the fight into the clinch.

Batista manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lal Tamang or perhaps it was just good defense by Batista, which made it look bad.
Batista swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Batista goes for a double leg but Lal Tamang avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lal Tamang continues to drive forward.
Batista tries a head kick but it misses.
Batista wants to clinch up but Lal Tamang keeps it at a distance.
Batista keeps the fight on the outside.
Batista is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lal Tamang sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lal Tamang tries to score a power double leg takedown but Batista sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lal Tamang somewhat.
Batista feints the counter takedown.
Lal Tamang is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lal Tamang throws a head kick that half lands.

Batista instigates a clinch.
Batista is trying to pull guard but Lal Tamang has him pressed against the cage.
Good body shot from Batista.
Batista prevents Lal Tamang from breaking the clinch.
Batista pressing his opponent against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lal Tamang goes for a takedown in the clinch but Batista prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Batista showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Lal Tamang's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Batista. No joy for Lal Tamang on that attempt.
Lal Tamang shoots in but no luck this time.
A leg kick checked by Lal Tamang.
Lal Tamang shoots in but Batista avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aadeep Lal Tamang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Batista has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Lal Tamang.

Batista pushes Lal Tamang up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Batista pulls guard effortlessly.

Batista working for a triangle but Lal Tamang defends it easily.

Lal Tamang avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Batista takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lal Tamang trying to control the position from guard on top but Batista is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lal Tamang looking to pass the guard.
Lal Tamang is fighting to break Batista's control of his arms but Batista is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

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.
Batista tries to land a sweep but no joy.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Lal Tamang works over Batista with some ground and pound from guard.
Lal Tamang throwing strikes from guard but Batista blocks nicely.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lal Tamang goes for a double leg but Batista avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Batista continues to drive forward.

Lal Tamang tries to keep at a distance but Batista has taken the fight into the clinch.
Lal Tamang can't get the takedown.
Lal Tamang is trying to push Batista away but Batista has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Lal Tamang tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Batista just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Batista escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lal Tamang tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Batista was well out of range. Poor timing from Lal Tamang.
And Batista tries to counter it with a takedown but Lal Tamang pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Lal Tamang tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Batista paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Batista has Lal Tamang up against the cage in a clinch.
Batista is looking to take this one to the mat.
Lal Tamang gets underhooks to prevent Batista's takedown attempt.

Batista breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Batista takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Lal Tamang throws a shot to the body.
Lal Tamang will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lal Tamang looks for a takedown but Batista sprawls well.
Despite the aggression on Batista's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Batista dives in and grabs Lal Tamang's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lal Tamang pushes down on Batista's head and hops out.
Lal Tamang avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lal Tamang appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Aadeep Lal Tamang is winning the standup battle so far.
Batista takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Batista swats away the attempt to clinch by Lal Tamang.
Aadeep Lal Tamang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rodrigo Batista 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!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lal Tamang dives in for a single leg takedown but Batista sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rodrigo Batista.
I've got Batista winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodrigo Batista!