PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Noe Gates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Ross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Noe Gates has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Gates
vs
Ross

210 cm
22
193 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

182 cm
25
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Noe Gates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Ross!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Bruno Lombardi and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gates fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ross, pushing him back against the cage.
Ross is pushing Gates up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gates.
Ross stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Gates really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ross tries to pull guard but Gates won't allow it.

Ross jumps guard and drags Gates to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Ross working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gates doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gates manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gates stopping the sweep attempt from Ross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ross striking off his back but it's not causing Gates any problems.
Ross tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gates missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ross working a defensive guard here.
Ross controlling the position.
Ross looking to control but Gates passes into half guard.

Ross has one foot on Gates's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Gates tries to keep at a distance but Ross has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ross manages to pull guard.
Ross working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gates.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ross throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Ross is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gates defends well.

Ross looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Gates has picked Ross up and slammed him! Ross can't keep hold of the triangle and Gates manages to pass to side control!
Ross sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ross is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gates's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gates's back!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gates is in bad spot here.

Ross working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ross throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Ross biding his time, looking for the opening.
Ross not allowing Gates to control his hands.

Gates is having to fend off submission attempts from Ross, who is looking to sink in the choke. Ross doesn't have the hooks in though and Gates manages to reverse position! He's now on top, in his opponent's guard.
Ross tries to strike from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gates scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gates stopping the sweep attempt from Ross.
Ross has a closed guard, preventing Gates from standing up.

Ross working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gates doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gates manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ross preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Ross dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ross gets caught napping as Gates dives in and scores a takedown. Ross manages to retain guard.
Ross working a defensive guard here.
Gates throwing strikes from guard but Ross blocks nicely.
Gates will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ross seems keen to control Gates's posture.
Mike Ross has got the better of the ground game so far.

Ross looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ross looking for a sweep. Not yet Ross, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gates is looking to work some ground and pound but Ross has wrist control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ross fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gates shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ross defends it nicely.

Ross clinches.
Gates misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross is looking for a takedown.
Gates misses with a punch to the body.
Ross has Gates pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gates manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Noe Gates has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Ross.
Ross blocks a body shot from Gates.

Ross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gates is looking to clinch.
Gates closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ross circles away.
Ross will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gates is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Ross.
Ross misses with a takedown attempt
and Gates connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ross is breathing heavily.
Ross dives in and grabs Gates's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gates pushes down on Ross's head and hops out.
Gates seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Ross has managed to clinch.

Ross's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ross.
Gates wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gates will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ross fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gates looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ross is fending him off so far but Gates persists. Nope, Ross circles away and we're back to standing.
Ross looks to throw a body kick
and Gates counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ross thinking.
Gates wants to clinch up but Ross keeps it at a distance.
Ross tries for a takedown but Gates circles away easily
enabling Gates to counter with a crisp jab.
A jab lands there for Gates.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross shoots in for a takedown but Gates shows good takedown defense.
Gates wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Gates closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ross circles away.
Ross steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Gates.
Gates is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Gates fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gates looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ross is fending him off so far but Gates persists. Nope, Ross circles away and we're back to standing.
Mike Ross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ross fails to land with a series of punches.
Gates fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gates shoots for a takedown but Ross saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ross has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gates tries to land knees in the clinch but Ross avoids the damage to the body.
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 Noe Gates will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ross misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ross throws a shot from downtown. Gates moves away and avoids it.
Gates shoots for a double leg takedown but Ross sprawls well. He's pushed Gates's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gates shoots in and drives through. Ross sprawls well.
Ross shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gates as he avoids it easily.
Ross shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gates defends it nicely.
Gates is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Ross.
Noe Gates has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Ross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ross misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ross takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross throws a hook to the side of Gates's head but Gates sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gates fails with a takedown attempt.
Gates shoots in looking for a takedown but Ross manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gates's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Gates gets tackled into the cage by Ross. Ross maintains the clinch.
Ross lands a right hand.
Gates misses with a body punch.
Gates misses with a knee to the head.
Gates tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gates lands a good knee to the midsection. Ross won't want to take too many of those.
Ross creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gates's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gates tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ross avoids it.

Ross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ross dives in for a single leg takedown but Gates sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ross doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ross takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ross shoots in and drives through. Gates sprawls well.
As Ross tries to get set, Gates tries to push him back and clinch up but Ross manages to avoid the attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gates.
Ross keeps the fight on the outside.

Ross drives through and clinches with Gates against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ross can't get the takedown.

Ross's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gates with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ross counters with a straight right hand.
No joy there for Ross, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gates is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Gates avoids a punch combination nicely.

Gates moves into the clinch successfully.
Mike Ross seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ross blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ross avoiding damage as Gates throws knees to the body.
Gates misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gates breaks the clinch.
Ross moves in looking to clinch but Gates pushes him off.
Gates fails to land the takedown.
Ross throws a head kick that misses

and Gates counters by moving into the clinch.
Gates working aggressively here.

Ross has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Gates uses from the top position.
Gates lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ross seems keen to control Gates's posture.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mike Ross.
Well Ross 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Ross!