PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kegan Williamson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rob Tate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Williamson
vs
Tate

180 cm
26
190 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

185 cm
22
192 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kegan Williamson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rob Tate!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Jonathan Paton and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Williamson misses with a right hand

and Tate counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Tate preventing the sweep.
Tate trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Williamson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tate on the ground.
Tate working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tate is looking to work some ground and pound but Williamson has wrist control.
Williamson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tate.
Tate seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Tate loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tate throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Williamson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tate trying to control but Williamson is working from the bottom.
Tate is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate lands a couple of digs.
Williamson being controlled here, momentarily.
Tate wants to pass the guard but Williamson is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tate throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Williamson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Williamson tries to get out of the position.

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.
Tate thows a big elbow that misses.
Tate throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Williamson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tate seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Williamson keeping moving, preventing Tate from controlling successfully.
Williamson being controlled here, momentarily.

Rob Tate has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Tate shoots in but Williamson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Williamson misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williamson misses with a looping right.
Tate throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Williamson's waist but Williamson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tate off to one side.
Williamson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tate sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kegan Williamson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Williamson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tate sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Tate gets a double leg takedown into Williamson's guard.
Tate thows a big elbow that misses.
Tate loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tate tries to free his leg and advance position but Williamson is retaining full guard.
Tate slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Tate looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Williamson is avoiding damage well.
Tate lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williamson tries to improve position but can't.
Tate throws a strike aimed at the side of Williamson's head but Williamson avoids it well.
Williamson trying his best to control but Tate has mounted him.
Tate lands a big shot there that rocks Williamson but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Tate unloading with bombs!
Tate sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tate raining down shots from the mount!
Tate wants to control the pace but Williamson is squirming around nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tate is in the full mount, landing strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Tate dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Williamson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tate manages to avoid it.
Williamson lands a nice hook to Tate's body. Tate takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Williamson swings widly with a right hand

and Tate counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Rob Tate has got the better of the ground game so far.
Williamson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tate.
Tate looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Tate landing with the ground and pound.
Tate postures up in Williamson's guard and throws a big left but Williamson blocks it.
Williamson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tate postures up in Williamson's guard and throws a big left but Williamson blocks it.
Tate wants to pass the guard but Williamson is keeping the position.
Tate connects with a couple of short punches.
Tate thows a big elbow that misses.
Tate trying to control the position from guard on top but Williamson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tate postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tate throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tate with a flurry of punches that miss.

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.
Williamson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tate.
Tate throws a big right hand that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Williamson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Williamson keeping moving, preventing Tate from controlling successfully.
Tate with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tate throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tate pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Williamson is keeping the position for now.
Tate throwing strikes but missing.
Tate works over Williamson with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tate drops back looking for a leg! Williamson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Williamson manages to kick Tate off! Tate jumps back into Williamson's guard.
Tate controlling from the top position.
Williamson is trying to keep Tate in close.
Tate working some strikes from top position.

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.
Williamson has momentary wrist control but Tate slips an elbow through the middle.
Tate pushing down on Williamson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Williamson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tate.
Williamson is not content to let Tate control the position.
Williamson is trying to control but can't.
Tate has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tate trying to mount his opponent but Williamson defends it.
Well, if Tate 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.

Tate seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Williamson has recovered full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Tate showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Williamson thows a body shot but no joy.
Williamson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tate's head backwards.
An inside leg kick lands from Williamson.
Williamson lands a nice looking body shot.
Williamson looks for the body kick but Tate saw that one coming.
A swing and a miss from Williamson.
A telegraphed right hand from Williamson misses the target.
Williamson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Williamson misses with a wild body shot.
Williamson fails to land with a series of punches.
Williamson scores with a head kick.

It looks like Rob Tate has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Williamson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Tate is rocked!
Tate fails with a takedown attempt.
Tate is still on wobbly legs! Can Williamson finish him?
Tate takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Williamson moves to clinch but Tate breaks away

and Tate counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tate seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williamson is adopting a defensive guard.
Tate with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tate throws a big right hand that misses.
Tate thows a big elbow that misses.
Williamson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tate throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Williamson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tate with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Tate controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Tate is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Tate postures up and lands a big shot to Williamson's brow.
Tate postures up in Williamson's guard and throws a big left but Williamson blocks it.
Tate wants to control from the top but Williamson keeps moving.
Tate is looking to work some ground and pound but Williamson has wrist control.

Tate drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tate jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Williamson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Williamson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tate.
Tate working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tate lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tate scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Tate with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Williamson keeping moving, preventing Tate from controlling successfully.
Williamson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tate tries to free his leg and advance position but Williamson is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tate trying to control the position from guard on top but Williamson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tate landing with the ground and pound.
Williamson wants to stand and escape but Tate is having none of it.
Tate engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tate accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Kegan Williamson did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Rob Tate's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Williamson. Tate does a little dance to reset his feet.
Williamson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tate tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Williamson is able to avoid easily.
Tate fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tate avoids the head kick by Williamson.
Williamson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Williamson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tate steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Williamson.
Williamson misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tate. Williamson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Williamson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Williamson throws a leg kick which misses Tate's front leg but catches the back leg as Tate tries to avoid it.
Williamson is looking to wear down Tate with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Tate is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Williamson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Williamson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Tate's calf.
Williamson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tate was well out of range. Poor timing from Williamson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williamson with a nice cross.
Williamson throws a poor cross that misses
and Tate counters with a three punch combo that has Williamson backing up. Williamson nods at Tate to acknowledge the strikes.
Williamson scores with a kick to the body.
Rob Tate is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Williamson swings for the body but Tate moves out of range.

Williamson gets caught flat footed, as Tate shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Williamson keeping moving, preventing Tate from controlling successfully.
Tate postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Williamson wants to stand but Tate is controlling the position.
Williamson keeping full guard, as Tate tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tate loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Williamson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tate with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tate pushes down on Williamson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Williamson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tate scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tate passes the guard and advances to mount!
A nice elbow there by Tate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate lands a heavy elbow.

Tate is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Williamson to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Williamson shrugs it off.
Tate putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Tate landing strikes from the mount and Williamson is in trouble!

Tate is working for a guillotine from mount but Williamson frees his head quite easily.
Tate thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williamson taking shots to the head.
Tate has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Williamson's face.
Tate looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tate is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Williamson can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Tate with shots to the head and body - Williamson looks very uncomfortable down there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tate controlling the pace for now.
Tate with a couple of short strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Tate dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Rob Tate's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Tate drives through with a takedown into Williamson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Tate works over Williamson with some ground and pound from guard.
Tate throwing strikes but missing.
Tate trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tate trying to control the position from guard on top but Williamson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tate has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tate loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Williamson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williamson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tate.
Tate postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Tate working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tate working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Tate trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tate scoring with punches to the head and body.
Tate throws a big right hand that misses.
Williamson keeping moving, preventing Tate from controlling successfully.
Tate stays in close to Williamson's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tate scoring with some ground and pound.
Tate looking to pass the guard.
Tate trying to control but Williamson is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Tate with a nice head shot there.
Tate landing with the ground and pound.
Tate connects with a couple of short punches.
Kegan Williamson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williamson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tate.
Tate with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tate keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Williamson's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tate accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Williamson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tate postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Tate with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tate is working Williamson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tate controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tate trying to control the position from guard on top but Williamson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tate keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Williamson's head.
Williamson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tate advances to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tate works his way into side control.
Tate scoring with punches from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rob Tate comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tate has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 44:49
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 44:49
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 44:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rob Tate! Rob Tate retains his middleweight title!