PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Master Bates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Murdoch McVickers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Bates
vs
McVickers

200 cm
20
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Master Bates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Murdoch McVickers!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McVickers shoots in for a double leg but Bates sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Bates drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Bates postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Bates working the strikes but McVickers uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
McVickers is trying to get back to full guard.
Bates wants to stand but his hand is trapped. McVickers uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Bates is looking to work some ground and pound but McVickers has wrist control.
Bates in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bates throwing strikes from guard but McVickers blocks nicely.
Bates will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates throws and elbow that misses. McVickers uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bates's guard. Nice move by McVickers!

McVickers gets to his feet - Bates follows without any prompting.

Bates shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bates showed some decent athleticism there.
McVickers makes his way to full guard. A much better position for McVickers.
Bates stands up over McVickers, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bates throwing strikes but missing.
McVickers preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bates trying to control but McVickers is working from the bottom.

Bates drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but McVickers manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Bates has McVickers in his guard.

McVickers is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Bates is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Bates has escaped and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bates won't allow McVickers to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bates accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McVickers utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bates is breathing heavily.
Bates would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Bates throws a strike but McVickers rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four 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.
McVickers passes Bates's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

McVickers is trying to work for a kimura but Bates is defending well.
McVickers is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Bates!

McVickers looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
McVickers takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Murdoch McVickers will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McVickers fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Bates sprawls well initially but McVickers persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
McVickers looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McVickers frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

McVickers looking to secure an arm triangle but Bates defends it well.
Bates's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates stops McVickers from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Bates knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McVickers on the ground.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

McVickers looking to secure an arm triangle but Bates defends it well.

McVickers wants to finish this one by submission but Bates is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from McVickers.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McVickers trying to control but Bates is having none of it.

McVickers wants to finish this one by submission but Bates is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from McVickers.

McVickers is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Bates has managed to escape the submission attempt.

McVickers is working for a guillotine from mount but Bates frees his head quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bates prevents McVickers from taking his back.

McVickers jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Bates manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Bates prevents McVickers from moving into mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

McVickers is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Bates is trying to escape and McVickers transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Bates is forced to tap! Nice work there by McVickers! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Murdoch McVickers!