PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tim Key (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Bitters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bitters has chosen Maybe as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Key
vs
Bitters

171 cm
25
142 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

171 cm
24
142 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

TROJ[A]N (CLEANING SERVICE AVAIL)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tim Key!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gary Bitters!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bitters misses with an uppercut.
Key steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bitters.
Bitters thows a body shot but no joy.
Bitters moves away from the strike by Key.
Key goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

It looks like Gary Bitters has been cut.
Gary Bitters seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bitters smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A big left from Bitters misses.
Bitters lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Key lands the left hand.

Bitters rushes Key and presses him up against the cage.
Key tries to circle away but Bitters has him pinned against the cage.
Key blocks the elbow strike.
Key is trying to push Bitters away but Bitters has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A bit of stalling here from Bitters.
Bitters struggles to land a body shot inside as Key controls his hands.
I was talking to Key's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Key wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Bitters.

Bitters breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Key displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bitters throws out the jab.
Bitters slips a jab and a cross from Key.
Key checks a low kick from Bitters.
Bitters looks to score with a jab to the body but Key is just out of range.

Bitters gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Key prevents a body shot from Bitters.
Bitters throws a punch but it's blocked by Key.
Bitters tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bitters creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Bitters misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Key.
Key managing to block the knees to the body from Bitters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Key blocks a body shot from Bitters.
Bitters is trying to pull guard but Key has him pressed against the cage.
Bitters tries to land a knee to the head but Key blocks with his arms.
Key looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bitters tries a knee to the head but Key blocks it.
Bitters scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bitters doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bitters has Key pressed against the cage, preventing Key from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bitters swings wildly with an uppercut but Key uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bitters wants to take the fight to the mat but Key manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Key blocks an uppercut.
Bitters creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitters tries a knee to the head but Key blocks it.
A short right from Bitters on the inside.
Key on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Key stalling.
Key blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bitters tries to throw a body punch but Key avoids it by throwing Bitters back against the cage.
Key letting Bitters take a breather here.
Bitters working aggressively here.

Bitters has picked Key up - he's going for a ride! Bitters dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Key desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Key pushes Bitters off looking to stand but Bitters dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Key is trying to control but can't.
Bitters wants to pass the guard but Key is defending well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Key manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bitters throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Key works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bitters stops Key from standing up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Key looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bitters is one step ahead there.
Bitters is looking to work some ground and pound but Key has wrist control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Key wants to get back to his feet but Bitters is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bitters throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Bitters dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gary Bitters's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bitters misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bitters misses with a body kick.
Bitters takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Key tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bitters tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bitters misses the jab.
Key takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A slow jab from Bitters misses its intended target.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bitters.
Key lands a really nice looking cross but Bitters seems unphased.
Bitters misses the shot to the body.
Bitters uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Key.
Key throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bitters fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitters is trying hard to land a takedown here. Key sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Key throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bitters on the side of the head.
Bitters misses with a wild body shot.
Bitters fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Key misses with a series of wild punches.

Bitters has Key up against the cage in a clinch.
Bitters misses with a body punch.

Bitters pulls guard effortlessly.
Bitters looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bitters seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Key trying to control but Bitters is working from the bottom.
Bitters is trying to keep Key in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bitters pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gary Bitters seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bitters shoots in for a double leg but Key sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tim Key has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gary Bitters.
A clash of legs there as Key blocks the low kick.
Bitters looks to score with a jab to the body but Key is just out of range.
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!
Key scores with a jab to the head.
Key swings for the body but Bitters moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Key throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Bitters darts in and clinches Key up against the cage.
Bitters taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Bitters continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Bitters tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Key prevents a body shot from Bitters.
Bitters pressing his opponent against the cage.
Bitters goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Key wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Key letting Bitters take a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bitters looking to slow down the pace here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Gary Bitters.
Bitters tries to move into range but Key moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A swing and a miss from Key.
Bitters connects with an inside leg kick.
Key throws a lazy right hand but Bitters sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Key scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bitters avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bitters throws a lazy uppercut
and Key counters with a left to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Key on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Some wild striking there from Key.
Key takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gary Bitters will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Gary Bitters's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bitters gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Key fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bitters connects with a body shot that sends Key's belly button to the back.
Bitters thuds his shin into the meat of Key's side.
Key stuffs the takedown attempt from Bitters. Bitters gets slowly back to his feet.
Some wild striking there from Key.
Key circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bitters connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Key walks into a straight right hand from Bitters.
Key uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bitters.
Key moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Key ducks under a wild hook from Bitters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitters connects with a high kick.
Key keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bitters.
Bitters lands a leg kick that knocks Key off balance momentarily.
Bitters thuds his right hand into Key's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bitters lands a nice leg kick that just misses Key's sensitive parts.
Key fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bitters manages to avoid it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bitters.
Bitters misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bitters misses with an uppercut.
Bitters jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Key misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bitters moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Key showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bitters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Key walks into a left hand.
Bitters motions for Key to come forward. Bitters throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tim Key is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Key tries to sprawl but Bitters drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bitters seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Bitters throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Key is trying to stand up here but Bitters is controlling him well.
Bitters throwing shots but Key is blocking nicely.
Bitters missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Key is trying to stand.
Bitters not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Key has hold of Bitters's hands but Bitters slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Bitters missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitters misses with a head shot. Key uses the momentum to regain guard.
Gary Bitters has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bitters throwing strikes from guard but Key blocks nicely.
Bitters pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Key is keeping the position for now.
Key seems keen to control Bitters's posture.
Bitters postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bitters with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bitters must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bitters throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bitters throws an elbow that misses. Key uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bitters's guard. Nice move by Key!
Bitters 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.
Bitters has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Weed Nation. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Bitters is trying to keep Key in close.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bitters can do anything to dispel that myth.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bitters has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bitters trying to keep a closed guard but Key is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Bitters really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gary Bitters's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Key misses with the combination.
Bitters closes this distance looking for a takedown but Key circles away.
Bitters misses the jab.
Bitters throws a low kick but it's checked well by Key.
Key has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Key there as he acknowledges the shot.
Bitters attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Key takes a swing at Bitters's ribcage but misses.
Bitters throws a head kick but Key moves out of range.
Key misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Key gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Bitters to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Key manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitters is trying desperately to improve position.
Key controlling from mount.
Bitters is in all sorts of trouble here.
Bitters sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bitters is looking to improve his position.
Bitters trying to hold on to Key's head to control him but Key postures up.

Key decides to return to a standing position.
Key uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bitters.
Bitters throws a looping overhand right but Key ducks down to avoid it.
Key is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Key sizes up Bitters with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Key misses with a looping right.
Bitters has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitters misses with a wild combination.
Bitters cracks a nice hook into Key's ribs.
The crowd cheers as Bitters lands an impressive looking overhand right. Key doesn't seem phased though.
A jab from Key misses.
Bitters misses with a low kick.
Bitters tries a low kick but Key avoids it.
Bitters swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bitters doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bitters takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Key misses with a wild body shot.
Nice body kick from Bitters.
Bitters chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Key takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bitters wants to clinch up but Key keeps it at a distance.
Bitters throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Key looks to land a left hand but Bitters moved out of range nicely.
Bitters will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bitters throws a leg kick but Key sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Bitters throws a head kick that misses.
Key lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Key.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Key, as that shot connected.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bitters turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Key moves out of range as Bitters throws a body kick.
Key takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Gary Bitters will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Gary Bitters's cut.
That's time! Key's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Key fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bitters throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bitters is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bitters takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bitters moves forwards but Key connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Key moves out of range of the leg kick from Bitters.
Bitters shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Key as he avoids it easily.
Key fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bitters looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Key throws a right and a left that both miss.
A telegraphed right hand from Key misses the target.
Key slips a jab from Bitters.
Bitters connects with an inside leg kick.
Bitters pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tim Key is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Key looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bitters 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.
Bitters will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Key takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Some wild striking there from Key.
Bitters misses with a low kick.
Bitters slips a jab and a cross from Key.
Key misses with a wild combination.
Key bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bitters throws a head kick that misses.
Gary Bitters 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.
Key throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bitters sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Key throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bitters.
Bitters tries to clinch up but Key circles away and keeps his distance.
Bitters swings widly with a right hand
letting Key counter with a right hand.

Bitters shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bitters performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Key is trying to stand up here but Bitters is controlling him well.
Bitters is taking a breather. Key says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitters wants to take a breather but Key is having none of it.
Bitters stalling.

Gary Bitters has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Key lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bitters circles away quickly and effectively.
Bitters's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Key connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bitters scrambles back to his feet.
A jab from Bitters finds it's way through Key's defenses.
Bitters slips a jab and a cross from Key.
Bitters looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bitters cracks the inside of Key's front leg.
Key throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Key avoids a kick to the body.
Bitters misses with a body shot.
Key misses with a double jab.
Bitters showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Key.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bitters tries to clinch up.
Key keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tim Key has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bitters looks to land a right hand but Key moved out of range.
Key throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bitters connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bitters throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Bitters dives in and scores a takedown into Key's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Key had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bitters defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gary Bitters comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bitters 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 45:50
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 45:50
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gary Bitters!
Gary Bitters is the new featherweight champion!
Gary Bitters managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, TROJ[A]N (CLEANING SERVICE AVAIL), into his post fight interview.