PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Norm Bates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy Myers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bates
vs
Myers

188 cm
21
239 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

195 cm
23
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Norm Bates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jimmy Myers!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Myers looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice takedown defense from Bates. No joy for Myers on that attempt.
Bates fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Myers avoids it really well and circles away.
Myers looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bates will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bates shoots in but Myers avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Norm Bates. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bates throws a nice looking combination but Myers bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bates missing with a left hand there. Myers was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Myers misses with a takedown

and Bates decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Myers's guard.

Bates gets to his feet. Myers looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Myers tries to clinch there but Bates circles away.
Myers scores with a jab to the jaw.
Myers checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates connects with a single shot there.

Bates looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Myers!
Bates landing strikes from the mount and Myers is in trouble!
Bates looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Myers can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bates sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Bates punishing his opponent with strikes.

Bates is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Myers is surviving well by controlling Bates's body position as best he can.
Bates fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bates is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Bates 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.
BOOM! Bates connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Bates throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Myers because Bates loaded up on that one.
Bates avoids the attempt from Myers to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Myers is trying desperately to improve position.
Bates can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Myers is looking to escape.
Bates postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Myers looks a forlorn figure.
Bates with shots to the head and body - Myers looks very uncomfortable down there.

Bates looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Bates has hold of Myers's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Myers manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Bates is breathing heavily.
Bates avoids the attempt from Myers to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
The referee warns Myers that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Myers is working to get back to half guard.
Myers really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bates. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bates thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Myers really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Bates swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Myers is now in Bates's guard. A big mistake from Bates there, giving up the dominant position!
Myers wants to stand but Bates is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four 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.
Myers working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bates's head.
Myers sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Bates wants to sweep here but Myers controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Norm Bates dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bates tries for a takedown but Myers circles away easily
and Myers counters with a nice leg kick.
Bates with a poor takedown
and Myers counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Myers misses with a takedown

and Bates counters with a takedown into side control.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Bates here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Myers is trying to control Bates's posture but Bates avoids it.

Bates decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Myers changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bates tries to avoid it but Myers manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bates to the ground. Bates escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Myers shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bates sprawls well. Bates wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Myers gets slowly back to his feet.
Norm Bates has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Myers.
Myers is looking to clinch.
Myers avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bates moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Myers tries for a takedown but Bates sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Myers misses with a takedown attempt - Bates sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Myers slips under a jab.
Myers tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bates paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Myers misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bates shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Myers as he jumps to the side.
No joy there for Bates, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Myers shoots and misses
and Bates counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Bates shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Myers as he avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Bates throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bates lands a glancing blow to the side of Myers's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bates misses with a leg kick.
Myers tries to clinch up

and Bates counters with a takedown into side control.

Bates is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Myers is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Bates creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Norm Bates overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bates prevents Myers from escaping the position.

Bates stands up and beckons Myers to his feet.
Bates has a takedown stuffed.
Norm Bates seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bates throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bates.
Bates shoots in for a takedown but Myers shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Myers.
Myers showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bates.
Bates looks to land a right hand but Myers moved out of range.
Myers defending well as Bates loads up on a big left hand.
Myers tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Myers closes the distance looking to clinch

and Bates counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bates trying to control but Myers is working from the bottom.
Myers wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Myers not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bates wants to control from the top but Myers keeps moving.
Bates pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Myers is keeping the position for now.
Bates postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bates missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bates throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bates cracks Myers with a good jab.
Jimmy Myers seems to be getting the better of the standup.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bates fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Myers gets a clinch.
Bates tries to score a body lock takedown but Myers shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bates can't break the clinch.
Bates wants to break free but Myers has control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Norm Bates will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Bates stuffs the takedown attempt from Myers. Myers gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice cross by Myers.
Bates throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Myers counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Myers shoots in but no luck this time.
Myers tries to clinch
and Bates counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bates misses with a head kick.
A swing and a miss from Bates.
A jab from Bates does it's job there.
Myers ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bates moves away.
Myers takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Myers looks for a takedown but Bates sprawls well.
Norm Bates has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Myers.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bates. Myers does a little dance to reset his feet.
Norm Bates is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bates misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bates shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Myers as he jumps to the side.
Myers fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Myers closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bates counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A big left from Bates misses.
Bates shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Myers but Myers pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bates scores with a one two! Myers had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Bates misses with a double jab
and Myers counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Myers steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bates.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bates misses with a hook. Myers ducked under it nicely.

Bates drives through with a takedown into guard.
Myers working a defensive guard here.
Myers has control of Bates's left arm, preventing Bates from doing any damage.
Bates missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bates throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bates throws and elbow that misses. Myers uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bates's guard. Nice move by Myers!
Bates seems keen to control Myers's posture.
Myers looking to sit in guard and control but Bates gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bates pushes down on Myers's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Bates throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bates missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bates seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Myers does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bates missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bates throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Bates is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Bates stops Myers from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Myers ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Myers shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bates pinned against the cage. Bates gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bates slaps away a takedown attempt from Myers, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bates doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Myers holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Bates goes for a takedown attempt but Myers pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Myers closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bates counters with a right hand to the body.
Bates has a takedown stuffed.
Jimmy Myers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Norm Bates is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bates blocks a head kick by Myers.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jimmy Myers.
I think Bates 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Norm Bates!