PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Steve Austin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Tablita (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Austin might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Stone Cold Entrance. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Austin
vs
Tablita

175 cm
36
147 lbs
23 - 14 - 0

173 cm
27
134 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Fenrir Fightgear - Steel Penn
Sex Panther Supplements (160q recovery $75)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steve Austin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gabriel Tablita!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Austin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tablita sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tablita changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Austin misses with a takedown attempt - Tablita sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Austin fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Austin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tablita tries for a takedown but Austin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Austin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tablita tries to avoid it but Austin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tablita to the ground. Tablita escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tablita fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Austin manages to avoid it.
Austin tries for a takedown but Tablita sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Austin fails with the takedown.
Tablita dives in and grabs Austin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Austin pushes down on Tablita's head and hops out.
Austin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tablita sprawls well. Tablita wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Austin gets slowly back to his feet.
Austin shoots in and drives through. Tablita sprawls well.
Tablita shoots in but Austin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tablita throws a hook to the side of Austin's head but Austin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tablita tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Austin swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Austin.
Tablita shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Austin as he avoids it easily.
Tablita throws out a loose jab but Austin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Austin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tablita throws a looping overhand right but Austin ducks down to avoid it.
Austin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tablita swivels and escapes.
Horrible takedown by Austin or perhaps it was just good defense by Tablita which made him look bad.
Tablita bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Austin's head backwards.
Tablita paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Tablita throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Austin's waist but Austin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tablita off to one side.
Tablita scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Tablita dives in and grabs Austin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Austin pushes down on Tablita's head and hops out.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Austin darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Tablita keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tablita gets back to full guard.
Austin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tablita keeping moving, preventing Austin from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Austin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tablita seems keen to control Austin's posture.
Tablita manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Austin manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tablita trying to control but Austin is working from the bottom.
Austin wants to sweep here but Tablita controlling him for the moment.
Austin is trying to control the position but Tablita postures up.
Austin wants to sweep but no luck.

Austin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tablita keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Austin's head.
Tablita lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Austin is looking for a triangle but Tablita pushes his legs off easily.
Tablita preventing the sweep.
Tablita trying to control the position from guard on top but Austin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tablita working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Austin working for a triangle but Tablita defends it easily.
Tablita missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Austin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tablita gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Austin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tablita postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Tablita is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Tablita is in close to Austin's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Tablita working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Tablita scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Austin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tablita throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tablita stands up over Austin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Austin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tablita defends it easily.
Tablita won't allow Austin to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Tablita dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tablita slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Austin is rocked!
Tablita swings widly with a right hand

and Austin counters with a takedown into side control.
Oh Austin is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Austin sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Tablita is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Tablita is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Austin has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Austin seems to have got his legs back now.
Austin misses with the ground and pound.
Austin lands some shots froms side control.
Austin throwing strikes but Tablita manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Austin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Tablita off and has taken his back!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Austin is throwing shots to the body but Tablita manages to wriggle free. Austin pounces on him again and ends up in Tablita's guard.
Austin postures up in Tablita's guard and throws a big left but Tablita blocks it.
Austin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Austin throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tablita wants to get back to his feet but Austin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Austin throwing strikes from guard but Tablita blocks nicely.
Austin lands a couple of digs.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Austin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Austin looking to sit in guard and control but Tablita gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Austin looking for a sweep. Not yet Austin, not yet.
Tablita working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Austin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Austin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Austin 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.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Tablita scoring with punches to the head and body.
Austin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tablita landing with the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tablita working some strikes from top position.
Austin 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.

Austin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tablita can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Austin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Austin being controlled here, momentarily.
Austin 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tablita with a nice head shot there.
Tablita with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tablita cracks Austin with a solid left hand.
Tablita throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Austin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tablita throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Austin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Austin lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Tablita!
Tablita takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Austin throwing strikes here but Tablita is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Austin unloads with some shots from mount but Tablita bucks and avoids them well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tablita tries to reverse the position but Austin maintains control.
Tablita blocking the ground and pound.
Tablita working to try and regain half guard.
Austin raining down shots from the mount!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Austin throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Tablita because Austin loaded up on that one.
Austin punching from mount but Tablita doing a good job of avoiding damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Austin misses with a head shot.
Austin thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Austin throws some wild stikes that Tablita manages to avoid easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Austin dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Austin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tablita sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Austin somewhat.
Tablita thows a body shot but no joy.
Gabriel Tablita seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Austin shoots in for a takedown but Tablita shows good takedown defense.
Tablita fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tablita closes this distance looking for a takedown but Austin circles away.
Steve Austin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tablita fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Steve Austin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Tablita.
Tablita shoots for a takedown but Austin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Austin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tablita as he jumps to the side.
Austin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tablita swivels and escapes.
Tablita misses with a looping right.
Tablita displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Austin.
Tablita stuffs the takedown attempt from Austin. Austin gets slowly back to his feet.
Tablita throws a jab but it's blocked by Austin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tablita looks to land a right hand but Austin moved out of range.
Austin slips under a jab from Tablita.
Tablita throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Horrible takedown by Austin or perhaps it was just good defense by Tablita which made him look bad.
Tablita scores with a shot to the body.
Gabriel Tablita seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tablita misses with a hook.
Austin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tablita sprawls well. Tablita wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Austin gets slowly back to his feet.
Tablita misses with a straight left.
Tablita fails with the takedown.
Tablita swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Austin tries for a takedown but Tablita sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Austin defending well as Tablita loads up on a big left hand.
Austin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tablita sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Austin somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tablita shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Austin as he avoids it easily.
Austin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tablita misses with a straight left.
Austin takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Austin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tablita defends it nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Austin fails with a takedown attempt.
Austin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tablita circles away.
Tablita closes this distance looking for a takedown but Austin circles away.

Austin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tablita sprawls well initially but Austin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Austin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Austin thows a huge punch but Tablita dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tablita moves into full guard.
Tablita controls Austin momentarily but Austin frees himself.
Austin looking to sit in guard and control but Tablita gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Tablita wants to control from the top but Austin keeps moving.

Austin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tablita is aware though and is defending well.
Tablita trying to control but Austin is working from the bottom.

Austin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tablita is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tablita landing with the ground and pound.
Tablita wants to control from the top but Austin keeps moving.
Austin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tablita's guard.
Austin throwing strikes from guard but Tablita blocks nicely.
Austin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Austin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tablita works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Austin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Austin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tablita works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Gabriel Tablita just about did enough to take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A big right from Tablita misses.
Austin blocks a head kick by Tablita.
Tablita shoots in looking for a takedown but Austin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tablita's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Horrible takedown by Austin or perhaps it was just good defense by Tablita which made him look bad.
Austin slips a straight right by Tablita.
Austin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tablita swivels and escapes.
Tablita swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Austin avoids the body shot from Tablita.

Austin shoots in and bounces Tablita off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Austin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Austin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tablita throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Austin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Tablita avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tablita postures up in Austin's guard and throws a big left but Austin blocks it.
Tablita sitting in guard here, content to control.
Tablita landing some decent shots from guard.
Tablita won't allow Austin to sweep him here.
Tablita postures up.
Tablita is in close to Austin's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Tablita is looking to work some ground and pound but Austin has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tablita postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tablita working some strikes from top position.

Austin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tablita defends well.
Tablita stopping the sweep attempt from Austin.

Austin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tablita is aware though and is defending well.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Austin keeping full guard, as Tablita tries to pass.
Tablita postures up in Austin's guard and throws a big left but Austin blocks it.
Tablita connects with a couple of short punches.

Austin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tablita gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Austin throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tablita postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Austin can't keep his opponent in guard - Tablita advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Austin wants to get back to full guard.
Tablita is keen to just control but Austin is a slippery customer.
Tablita is thwarting Austin's attempts to control the position.
Tablita lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fighters are battling for position here. Austin manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tablita makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tablita landing with the ground and pound.
Tablita preventing the sweep.
Tablita trying to control the position from guard on top but Austin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tablita avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tablita is looking to work some ground and pound but Austin has wrist control.
Tablita trying to control but Austin is working from the bottom.
Tablita stopping the sweep attempt from Austin.
Tablita landing with the ground and pound.
Steve Austin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Austin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tablita trying to control the position from guard on top but Austin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Gabriel Tablita will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Austin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Austin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tablita leaves Austin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Austin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tablita throws a hook but Austin avoids it easily.
Tablita shoots in for a double leg but Austin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Austin slips under a jab.
Austin closes the distance and clinches up with Tablita, looking for a takedown. Austin pushes Tablita against the cage but Tablita circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Austin shoots in for a takedown but Tablita shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tablita scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Austin doesn't seem bothered though.
Austin shoots in but Tablita avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Austin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tablita sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Austin tries for a takedown but Tablita sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
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.
Tablita throws a hook to the side of Austin's head but Austin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tablita thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tablita scores with a nice head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tablita fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Austin on the side of the head.
Austin shoots in for a takedown but Tablita shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tablita misses the jab.
Austin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tablita tries to score a power double leg takedown but Austin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tablita somewhat.
Tablita leaves Austin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tablita shoots in for a double leg but Austin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tablita misses the jab.
Tablita throws a wild body kick that Austin sees coming a mile off.
Austin shoots in for a double leg but Tablita sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tablita misses with an uppercut. Austin saw that one coming.
Tablita closes the distance and clinches up with Austin, looking for a takedown. Tablita pushes Austin against the cage but Austin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tablita jabs Austin to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Austin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Austin wants it to stay on the feet.
Austin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tablita avoids it really well and circles away.
A low kick from Tablita is predictable there

and Austin counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Tablita!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tablita on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Austin scoring with punches from side control.
Austin looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Tablita is avoiding damage well.
Tablita regains half guard, as Austin was trying to land strikes.

Austin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Tablita gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Austin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gabriel Tablita is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tablita preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Austin scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Austin works over Tablita with some ground and pound from guard.
Austin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tablita seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Austin throws a big elbow that misses.
Austin throwing strikes from guard but Tablita blocks nicely.

Tablita is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Austin defends well.
Steve Austin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Austin throws a strike but Tablita rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Austin throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Steve Austin.
I think Tablita 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 47:48
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 47:49
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gabriel Tablita!
Gabriel Tablita is the new bantamweight champion!
A very excited looking Gabriel Tablita made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.