PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Billy NoMates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Houses (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

NoMates
vs
Houses

178 cm
26
144 lbs
4 - 11 - 0

200 cm
25
135 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Billy NoMates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Dave Houses!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

NoMates throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Houses was covering up waiting for the punch and NoMates finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
NoMates pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Houses is keeping the position for now.
Houses trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Houses has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Houses is trying to control the position from the bottom.

NoMates is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Houses looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but NoMates puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Houses wants to control but NoMates is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houses misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Houses is looking for a sweep. NoMates is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. NoMates connects with a nice short shot to Houses's temple.
Houses is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Houses is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute NoMates jumps into side control!
NoMates creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Houses sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

NoMates is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Houses knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
NoMates working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houses is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Houses struggling a bit here.
NoMates wants to lay and pray for a moment but Houses keeps working.

NoMates swings around for an armbar but Houses sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into NoMates's guard.

NoMates looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Houses landing some decent shots from guard.

Houses gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
NoMates fails with the takedown
and Houses counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Houses gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
NoMates is breathing heavily.
NoMates pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Houses is keeping the position for now.

Houses manages to escape and get back to his feet.
NoMates looks for a takedown but Houses sprawls well.
NoMates takes a jab right on the kisser.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Houses.
Houses tries to close the distance and clinch but NoMates swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
NoMates throws a poor cross that misses
and Houses counters with a nice leg kick.
Houses throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
NoMates stuffs the takedown attempt from Houses. Houses gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houses thuds a left hand into NoMates's body.
Houses tries to close the distance and clinch up but NoMates swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice takedown defense from NoMates. No joy for Houses on that attempt.
NoMates misses with a right hand

and Houses holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Houses is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Houses lands a hook to the side of the head.
Houses tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Billy NoMates has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Houses.

NoMates breaks the clinch.
Houses lands with a slapping head kick.

Houses closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Houses lands in his opponent's guard.
NoMates throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Houses won't allow NoMates to get back to his feet.
Houses slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
NoMates is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Houses dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Houses tries to clinch but NoMates moves out of range.

NoMates shoots in and gets a takedown into Houses's guard.
Houses manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
NoMates wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Houses tries to get the hooks in deep but NoMates pushed the leg off.
NoMates grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Houses is riding his opponent, not letting NoMates buck him off.
NoMates prevents Houses from getting a body triangle.
You can see the frustration on NoMates's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
NoMates breaks Houses's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

NoMates drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Houses dives on top into guard.
Houses forces his way into half guard.
Houses wants to take a breather but NoMates is having none of it.
NoMates might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Houses stalling.
Houses is trying to control. NoMates wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Houses sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Dave Houses.

Houses gets a takedown into half guard.
NoMates tries to get to full guard but Houses has control of the leg.
NoMates won't allow Houses to pass to mount.
NoMates is looking to improve his position.
NoMates makes his way to full guard. A much better position for NoMates.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now NoMates is on top in guard.
NoMates wants to control from the top but Houses keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houses is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Houses looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks NoMates with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Houses trying to control the pace.
Houses is looking to take a break and control but NoMates is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
NoMates is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Houses scores with a couple of nice shots.
Houses is looking to advance position but NoMates won't allow it.
Houses sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Houses throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
NoMates tries to get to full guard but Houses has control of the leg.
Houses throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
NoMates is looking for a sweep. Houses is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
NoMates makes his way to full guard. A much better position for NoMates.
Houses slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Houses showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Houses throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. NoMates was covering up waiting for the punch and Houses finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Houses wants to control from the top but NoMates keeps moving.

NoMates is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Houses defends well.

NoMates has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Houses can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Houses trying to control the position from guard on top but NoMates is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Houses wants to stand but NoMates is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houses wants to control from the top but NoMates keeps moving.

NoMates has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Houses can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
NoMates wants to sweep here but Houses controlling him for the moment.

Houses decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A head kick from Houses lands but NoMates takes it in his stride.
NoMates misses with a takedown attempt

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houses looking for a takedown.
NoMates tries to pull guard but Houses won't allow it.
Houses is trying to maintain a safe position but NoMates gets an underhook and turns Houses into the cage.
Houses wants a takedown.

Houses manages to break the clinch.
Billy NoMates seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
NoMates throws a combination that misses
and Houses counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps NoMates thinking.

Houses throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. NoMates was covering up waiting for the punch and Houses finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Houses gets to his feet. NoMates looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Houses is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in NoMates's half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Houses wants to free his trapped foot but NoMates is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Houses seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but NoMates does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houses not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Houses looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
NoMates trying to hold on to Houses's head to control him but Houses postures up.
NoMates is trying to get back to full guard.
Houses thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Houses throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
NoMates is refusing to be controlled, as Houses sits in half guard.

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.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
NoMates is trying to stand up here but Houses is controlling him well.
NoMates is trying to control but can't.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
NoMates tries for a takedown but Houses circles away easily
and Houses counters with a lovely shot to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Billy NoMates. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Houses lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Houses.
NoMates is trying to improve his position.
Billy NoMates has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Houses is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. NoMates knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
NoMates is looking for a sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dave Houses comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Houses has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dave Houses!