PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brano Mc Gregor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Micheal Bates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Mc Gregor
vs
Bates

188 cm
28
180 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

185 cm
22
174 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brano Mc Gregor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Micheal Bates!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mc Gregor doesn't manage to clinch there - Bates circles away.
Bates has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Mc Gregor is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Mc Gregor checks a low kick from Bates.

Mc Gregor darts in and clinches Bates up against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bates.
Bates stops a takedown attempt from Mc Gregor.
Bates blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mc Gregor is trying to push Bates away but Bates has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bates is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mc Gregor is defending well for now.
Bates with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bates prevents the takedown attempt.
Bates with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bates throws a punch but it's blocked by Mc Gregor.
Mc Gregor is trying to pull guard but Bates has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brano Mc Gregor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mc Gregor avoiding damage as Bates throws knees to the body.
Bates swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bates's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bates goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bates pushes off an throws an elbow but Mc Gregor leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mc Gregor gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Our sources have told us that Mc Gregor has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Mc Gregor tries to pull guard but Bates won't allow it.
Bates with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mc Gregor avoiding damage as Bates throws knees to the body.
Bates prevents a takedown attempt there.
Bates has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mc Gregor is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Mc Gregor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mc Gregor avoids a kick to the body.
Bates keeps the fight on the outside.

Mc Gregor forces Bates back against the cage and clinches.
Bates misses with a body punch.
Mc Gregor avoids a wild elbow strike from Bates.
Mc Gregor tries to pull guard but Bates won't allow it.
Mc Gregor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mc Gregor is trying to pull guard but Bates has him pressed against the cage.

Mc Gregor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bates darts in looking for a takedown but Mc Gregor gets double underhooks and turns Bates into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bates throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Mc Gregor shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Bates is trying to defend but Mc Gregor finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Bates wants to control but Mc Gregor is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Mc Gregor is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mc Gregor wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bates keeps working.

Bates is defending against the submission attempts here by Mc Gregor.
Bates is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mc Gregor scores with a couple of nice shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bates is defending against the submission attempts here by Mc Gregor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mc Gregor wants to work for an arm triangle but Bates is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Bates trying to hold on to Mc Gregor's head to control him but Mc Gregor postures up.
Bates is looking for a sweep. Mc Gregor is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Mc Gregor looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Bates makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bates.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bates looking to control.
Bates looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mc Gregor trying to control but Bates is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mc Gregor avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mc Gregor looking to pass the guard.

Mc Gregor drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Bates dives on top into guard.

Mc Gregor 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bates postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Mc Gregor looking for a guillotine here but Bates defends easily.
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 Brano Mc Gregor will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mc Gregor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Mc Gregor has managed to clinch.
Mc Gregor blocks a body shot from Bates.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mc Gregor.
Bates putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Mc Gregor in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Mc Gregor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bates is trying to drag Mc Gregor to the mat but Mc Gregor just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Mc Gregor manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Mc Gregor 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.
Mc Gregor keeping moving, preventing Bates from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mc Gregor looking for a sweep. Not yet Mc Gregor, not yet.
Mc Gregor on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Mc Gregor tries to get out of the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bates's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bates got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mc Gregor has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bates has managed to get both his arms back between Mc Gregor's legs - danger averted.
Mc Gregor looking for a sweep. Not yet Mc Gregor, not yet.
Mc Gregor is trying to keep Bates in close.

Mc Gregor has his foot on Bates's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bates works his way back into a safe position though.
Bates lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mc Gregor wants to improve his position but instead Bates has moved into half guard.
Mc Gregor is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Bates scores with a couple of nice shots.
Mc Gregor is looking to improve his position.
Bates working over Mc Gregor with some ground and pound. Mc Gregor looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Bates wants to control but Mc Gregor is keeping him busy.
Bates blocks the strikes from Mc Gregor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mc Gregor is not content to let Bates control the position.
Mc Gregor is looking for a sweep. Bates is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mc Gregor moves into full guard.
Bates is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bates working some strikes from top position.
Bates has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bates with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bates trying to control but Mc Gregor is working from the bottom.
Mc Gregor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bates is one step ahead there.

Mc Gregor escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bates gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mc Gregor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bates is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mc Gregor is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Mc Gregor looking for a guillotine here but Bates defends easily.
Bates sitting in guard here, content to control.

Mc Gregor looking for a guillotine here but Bates defends easily.
Bates connects with a couple of short punches.

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.
Bates lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Mc Gregor is looking for a triangle but Bates pushes his legs off easily.
Bates connects with a couple of short punches.
Mc Gregor looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mc Gregor is trying to control the position but Bates postures up.
Mc Gregor wants to sweep here but Bates controlling him for the moment.
Mc Gregor wants to get back to his feet but Bates is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mc Gregor is trying to keep Bates in close.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bates working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Mc Gregor is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bates is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Micheal Bates will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mc Gregor on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Mc Gregor working hard to break the clinch.
Mc Gregor drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bates pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mc Gregor tries to close the distance and clinch but Bates swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mc Gregor missing with a left hand there. Bates was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Bates has Mc Gregor up against the cage in a clinch.
Mc Gregor is trying to drag Bates to the mat but Bates just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mc Gregor avoiding damage as Bates throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mc Gregor prevents a takedown attempt there.
Micheal Bates seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Bates drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mc Gregor gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Bates swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mc Gregor prevents it.
Brano Mc Gregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Micheal Bates.

Mc Gregor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mc Gregor tries to clinch but Bates moves out of range.
Bates cracks the inside of Mc Gregor's front leg.
Mc Gregor wants to clinch.

Mc Gregor gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bates letting Mc Gregor take a breather here.
Bates tries to land knees in the clinch but Mc Gregor avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bates is looking to take this one to the mat.
Mc Gregor struggles to land a body shot inside as Bates controls his hands.
Mc Gregor fails to pull guard.
Mc Gregor prevents a body shot from Bates.
Mc Gregor managing to block the knees to the body from Bates.
Mc Gregor is looking for a takedown.
Mc Gregor tries to break the clinch but Bates is controlling the position.
Mc Gregor blocking some punches.
Mc Gregor tries to work over Bates's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mc Gregor lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bates backwards.
Bates pressing his opponent against the cage.
Mc Gregor on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bates trying to control the position but instead, Mc Gregor has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bates into the cage.
Mc Gregor is working for takedown but Bates is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bates gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Mc Gregor wants to get back to full guard.
Mc Gregor is looking to control Bates's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mc Gregor avoid being mounted?
Mc Gregor is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Bates wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mc Gregor keeps working.
Mc Gregor wants to improve his position but Bates is controlling well.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bates in particular looking to stall.

Bates decides to stand up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Mc Gregor rushes Bates and presses him up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Micheal Bates comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bates 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Micheal Bates!