PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jim Gates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christian Rasmussen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Gates
vs
Rasmussen

175 cm
22
163 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jim Gates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Christian Rasmussen!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Saam Ante and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gates looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Rasmussen is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Gates dives into side control.
Rasmussen is pushing Gates's head away, looking to escape. Gates manages to hold on to the position though.
Gates wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rasmussen keeps working.
Rasmussen avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Gates.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rasmussen wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Gates tries to move to full mount but Rasmussen actually manages to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gates is pressing down on Rasmussen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rasmussen is holding on for now.
Rasmussen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gates. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gates controlling the pace.
Rasmussen is looking to escape.

Gates is working for a kimura but Rasmussen is defending it quite comfortably.
Gates controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rasmussen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gates.

Gates wants to work for an arm triangle but Rasmussen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gates stops Rasmussen from getting back to his feet.
Rasmussen won't allow Gates to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Gates takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gates is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Gates trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gates's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rasmussen leaves Gates with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Gates has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gates misses with the head strike.
Gates is trying to force a seperation but Rasmussen has the dominant position.
Rasmussen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Gates breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Gates closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rasmussen wants to get back to striking at distance but Gates won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rasmussen lands with a short shot to the head.
Rasmussen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rasmussen trying to land knees to the body.
Gates tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rasmussen smiles and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gates clinches.
Rasmussen taking a breather.
Gates is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rasmussen can do to turn this around?
Gates displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rasmussen up against the cage.

Gates pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rasmussen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jim Gates is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rasmussen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gates fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rasmussen avoids it really well and circles away.
Rasmussen is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gates throws a lazy uppercut
and Rasmussen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jim Gates seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rasmussen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rasmussen steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Gates.
Gates swinging wildly here.
Rasmussen tries to counter by closing the distance.

Gates moves into the clinch successfully.
Gates wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gates has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rasmussen working hard to break the clinch.
Rasmussen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rasmussen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gates escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gates misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rasmussen tries to counter with a clinch but Gates shakes him off and moves away.
Gates is looking to clinch but Rasmussen is avoiding it.
Rasmussen steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Gates.
Gates fails with the takedown

and Rasmussen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rasmussen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jim Gates. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rasmussen looking to slow down the pace here.
Rasmussen crunches a lovely knee into Gates's ribcage.
Gates tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rasmussen avoids it.
Rasmussen blocks a body shot from Gates.

Gates has clasped his hands together around Rasmussen's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
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!
Rasmussen is not content to let Gates control the position.

Gates tries for a kimura but Rasmussen is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gates staying calm.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gates is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rasmussen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gates tries to move into full mount but can't pass Rasmussen's legs.

Gates is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rasmussen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Jim Gates overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rasmussen parries the strikes from Gates easily there. Gates is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Rasmussen to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jim Gates will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rasmussen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Gates walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rasmussen.
Gates throws a sloppy head kick and Rasmussen moves out of range easily.
Gates throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rasmussen looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

Gates closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rasmussen is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Gates is controlling him well.
Gates wants to control but Rasmussen is keeping him busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gates lands a nice forearm strike.
Rasmussen is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rasmussen is wriggling around trying to escape but Gates has hooked up a rear naked choke! Is it over??? Is it... you're damn right it is! Rasmussen taps out and Gates picks up the big win! Great work there by Gates!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:08 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jim Gates!
During a confident post fight interview, Jim Gates thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.