PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andy Wates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erik Zero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Wates
vs
Zero

195 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Andy Wates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Erik Zero!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Donald Grub and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zero shoots in but Wates avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Wates seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Wates throws a series of punches but Zero moves out of range.
Wates keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice sprawl there from Wates as Zero shoots in.
Andy Wates has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erik Zero.
Zero fails in his attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zero looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zero stalks Wates and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Wates's face. Wates staggers backwards, shaken.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wates avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wates misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Wates closes the distance and pushes Zero back into the cage.
Zero gets underhooks to prevent Wates's takedown attempt.
Zero taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Wates.
Zero fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Wates jumps guard and drags Zero to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

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

Zero pushes Wates up against the cage in a clinch.

Wates pulls guard effortlessly.
Wates will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zero trying to control the position from guard on top but Wates is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zero might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Wates haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Wates is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zero trying to control but Wates is working from the bottom.
Zero looking to pass the guard.
Zero slips nicely into half guard.
Zero thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Wates's head.

Zero stands up out of the half guard.
Zero throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Wates counters with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wates throws a nice looking combination but Zero bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Zero shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Wates manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Wates pulls Zero in close to prevent any damage.

Wates looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Zero forces his way into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Zero is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wates missing with punches from the bottom.
Wates wants to improve his position but Zero is controlling well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zero wants to take a breather but Wates is having none of it.
Wates is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Zero's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Zero's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Andy Wates will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Wates shoots for a takedown but Zero saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Wates fails with a takedown attempt.
Zero shoots for a takedown but Wates saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Zero has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wates has Zero pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Zero manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andy Wates. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wates avoiding damage.

Wates pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Wates moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wates looking to slow down the pace here.

Wates escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zero shoots in for a double leg but Wates sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wates is looking for a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wates swats away the attempt to clinch by Zero.
Zero shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Wates sprawls well. Wates wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zero gets slowly back to his feet.
Zero tries to clinch up.

Zero tries to keep at a distance but Wates has taken the fight into the clinch.

Wates pulls guard effortlessly.

Zero decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Wates, up you get!
Zero rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wates moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sloppy strikes from Zero. Those never looked like landing.

Zero gets tackled into the cage by Wates. Wates maintains the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wates holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Wates lands with a short shot to the head.

Zero breaks from the clinch.

Wates gets a clinch.
Zero tries to pull guard but Wates forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Zero breaks the clinch.
Andy Wates is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wates tries to close the distance and clinch but Zero swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zero shoots in and drives through. Wates sprawls well.
Wates drops down looking for a counter takedown but Zero sprawls and moves away.
Zero fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
As Zero looks to move away, Wates throws a big counter combo bu Zero just gets out of the way.
Zero is breathing heavily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zero is defended easily by Wates.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wates closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zero circles away.
Zero with the counter takedown but Wates avoids it easily.
Wates scores with a shot to the body.
Zero fails with the takedown.
Zero leaves Wates with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Crunch! Wates slams his shin into Zero's torso.

Wates gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Wates slowing the pace effectively.
Zero tries to pull guard but Wates holds him up against the cage and eventually Zero drops back down to his feet.
Wates misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zero.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zero tries to pull guard but Wates forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Zero gets control of Wates's arms and successfully pulls guard. Zero will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zero being controlled here, momentarily.
Wates trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Zero is working an open guard so Wates takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Zero circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zero appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Wates closes the distance and pushes Zero back into the cage.
Wates stops a takedown attempt from Zero.

Wates escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Wates dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Zero moves out of range of the body kick from Wates.

Wates shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Zero manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Wates sitting in guard here, content to control.
Zero looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wates is one step ahead there.
Zero is trying to control the position but Wates postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wates is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zero wants to sweep but no luck.
Andy Wates overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wates trying to control but Zero is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Wates cracks Zero with a solid left hand.
Wates throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Wates moves in looking to clinch but Zero pushes him off.
Zero shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Wates as he jumps to the side.
Wates went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Zero takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wates tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wates.

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.
Zero scores with a three punch combo!
Zero throws a nice outside leg kick.
Wates dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Zero. That did some damage!
Zero tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Wates rushes Zero and presses him up against the cage.
Wates fails to pull guard.
Zero prevents Wates from breaking the clinch.
Zero misses with a knee to the head.
Zero is trying to maintain a safe position but Wates gets an underhook and turns Zero into the cage.
Wates on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Wates pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zero fails to pull guard.
Wates tries to pull guard but Zero forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andy Wates. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zero fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Wates lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zero backwards.
Wates is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zero can do to turn this around?
Zero can't find room to land a body shot as Wates controls the action.

Wates breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wates displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zero.
Zero doesn't manage to clinch there - Wates circles away.
Wates connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Zero decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zero trying to control from half guard but Wates is working away.
Wates looks like he's trying to stand up.
Wates manages to get to full guard.
Zero wants to control from the top but Wates keeps moving.
Erik Zero has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Andy Wates is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Wates manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy Wates showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Wates has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andy Wates!