PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gary Player (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bill Batson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Player comes to the cage accompanied by Jeezy - Foul Play. 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.

Player
vs
Batson

178 cm
31
189 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

188 cm
32
186 lbs
32 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Heisenberg
Conviction

Bunny Clothing
Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gary Player!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Bill Batson!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Richard Clark and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Player moves into range and connects with a jab.
Player throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Batson keeps Player at a distance using the push kick.
A cross from Batson lands.
Player scores with a nice right hand.
Batson lands a nice shot to the body.
Player looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Player wants to land a leg kick but Batson is out of range.
Batson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Player.
Player misses with a right hand

and Batson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Player!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Batson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Player keeps working.
Batson slows the pace down.
Player sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Batson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Player keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Player keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Batson stalling.
Player is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Batson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Player knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Player blocking the ground and pound attempt from Batson.
Player wants to improve his position but Batson is controlling well.
Player keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player wants to control but Batson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Player holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Gary Player.
Batson lands with a cross.
Player misses with a body shot.
Player misses with a low kick.
Batson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Batson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Player stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Batson jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Player attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Player checks a low kick from Batson.
Player seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Batson connects with a crisp jab.
A jab lands there for Batson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player throws a body kick that misses
and Batson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Player missing with a left hand there. Batson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Batson tries to bum rush Player with a series of wild strikes but Player uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Batson connects with the punch.
Player throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Batson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Batson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Player steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Batson. That one must have hurt.
Batson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Batson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
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!
Player jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Batson thows a body shot but no joy.
Nice shot lands for Batson.
Batson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Player moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Batson throws a lazy right hand but Player sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batson gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Player counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Batson's guard now.
Player wants to control from the top but Batson keeps moving.
Player in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Batson keeping moving, preventing Player from controlling successfully.
Player postures up in Batson's guard and throws a big left but Batson blocks it.
Batson keeping moving, preventing Player from controlling successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Batson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Batson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Player checks a leg kick.
Batson lands with an uppercut that bounces Player off the cage and back into range.
Player looks to land a body kick but Batson moved away.
Batson throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Batson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Player tries to move into range but Batson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Player ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Player throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Batson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Player throws a lazy right hand but Batson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Batson. Player does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bill Batson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Player thumps Batson with a low kick.
Batson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice uppercut there from Batson.
Batson defending well as Player loads up on a big left hand.
A big left from Batson misses.
Player tries to land a front kick but Batson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Player takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A big left from Batson misses.
Player misses with a body kick.
Batson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Player has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Jab from Batson.
Batson throws a big shot that misses.
Player throws a hook but Batson avoids it easily.
Player misses the jab.
A good leg kick by Player.
Batson misses with a wild body shot.
Batson bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Player, right into the meat.
Batson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Player on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Batson. Batson obviously looking to wear him down.
Player looks to land a left hand but Batson moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Player fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Batson tries to move into range but Player moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Batson slips under a jab.
Player misses with a hook.
Player throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Batson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Player throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Batson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Player takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Player lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Player waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Batson.
A thudding body kick lands there by Batson!
Batson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Player.
Batson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Players jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Batson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Player's head backwards.
Player slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batson just misses with a punch to the body.
Batson lands with a hook. Player tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Player misses with a low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Batson. Player does a little dance to reset his feet.
Player throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Batson connects with a solid leg kick.
Batson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Player looks to land a left hand but Batson moved out of range nicely.
Batson connects with a single shot there.
Player misses with a jab to the body
and Batson counters with a left to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Batson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Batson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Player loads up on a big right hand but Batson slips the punch.
Player avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Batson misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Batson connects with a nice looking jab.
Batson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Batson tried to score with a low kick but Player checks it.
Batson swings for the body but Player moves out of range.
Batson slips under a jab from Player.
Good leg kick by Batson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Batson moves out of range as Player strikes.
Batson works the jab nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Player chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Player throws a leg kick that misses.
Batson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Player moves out of range of the body kick from Batson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Batson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Batson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Batson checks a low kick from Player.
Player takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Player throws a jab when Batson was well out of range.
An inside leg kick from Batson misses.
Batson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Batson looks to score with a jab to the body but Player is just out of range.
Player clobbers Batson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Batson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Batson cracks Player with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Player bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Batson's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Player chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Batson can pounce on him.
Player looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Batson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Batson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Player sees it coming and avoids it easily.
No joy there for Player, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Player throws out a loose jab but Batson uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Player crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Batson - the referee stops the clock and Player gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Batson. Player manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Batson motions for Player to come forward. Batson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Good exchange - Player coming out on top.
That kick from Batson tenderised Player's leg. Player is trying to keep his angry face on.
Player thows a leg kick but Batson checks it
and Batson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Player thinking.
Batson blocks the body kick.
Player lands a leg kick that knocks Batson off balance momentarily.
Batson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Player has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Batson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Batson blocks a jab.
Player will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Batson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Batson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Batson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gary Player has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bill Batson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Player at a distance.
Batson staying out of range there.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Batson.
Batson ducks under a wild hook from Player.
Player is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Player looks to throw the jab but Batson is out of range.
Batson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Players jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Batson connects with a nice looking jab.
Nice jab there from Batson.
Batson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Player misses with a hook. Batson ducked under it nicely.
Batson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Batson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Player pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batson cracks Player with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Player looks for the body kick but Batson saw that one coming.
Batson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Player's head.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Batson.
Player misses with a hook. Batson ducked under it nicely.
Player has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Batson.
Batson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Player.
Player gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A slapping leg kick lands for Batson.
A low kick from Player is predictable there
and Batson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Batson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Player.
Player takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Player has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Batson throws a good cross that connects.
Player throws a shot from downtown. Batson moves away and avoids it.
Batson works the jab nicely.
Batson looks to score with a jab to the body but Player is just out of range.
Batson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Players jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Player swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A nice inside leg kick there by Batson. That's going to slow Player down.
Batson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Player misses with a looping left.
Player thows a leg kick but Batson checks it
and Batson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A jab from Player misses.
Batson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Player at a distance.
Batson misses with a wild body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bill Batson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Batson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bill Batson!
A relieved looking Bill Batson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
The defeated Gary Player had this to say: 'You win some, you lose some. Murdock was the better man tonight. It was an honor to face such a great fighter. '.