PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lee Date (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Booth (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Date
vs
Booth

194 cm
22
215 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

190 cm
22
216 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

RAGS of a RONIN

Urban Fighter

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lee Date!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, William Booth!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Taro Takaoka and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Date throws a predictable looking body shot
and Booth counters with a nice leg kick.
Date throws a big shot that misses.
Lee Date seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Date throws a body shot but no joy.
Date pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Date throws out a loose jab but Booth uses good head movement to avoid it.
Date checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Date appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Date connects with a body shot that sends Booth's belly button to the back.
Booth throws a body punch but Date moves out of range.
Booth with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Booth throws a sloppy head kick and Date moves out of range easily.
A little feinted left hand from Date on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Date has closed the distance and engaged Booth in a clinch.
Booth lands a hook to the side of the head.
I was talking to Date's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A right hook to the body lands for Date.
Date swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Date blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Booth misses with some punches.
Booth with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Booth blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Booth struggles to land a body shot inside as Date controls his hands.
Booth throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Dates head.
Date lands a right hand that snaps the head of Booth backwards.
Booth blocks an uppercut.
Date digs a right hand into Booth's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Booth's gas tank.
Booth lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Date.
Date lands a hook that snaps the head of Booth backwards.
Date misses with a punch on the inside.
Date misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short uppercut from Date.
Booth misses with a hook to the ribs.
Booth blocks a punch to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Date creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Booth wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Booth lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Lee Date has been cut.

Booth breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Booth takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The fighters circle momentarily. Booth darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Date misses with a hook.
Date throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Booth misses with a leg kick

and Date counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Date.
Date throws a head punch that misses.
Booth scores with a nice hook to the head.
Booth lands a knee to the head.
Date goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Booth has a couple of punches blocked by Date.
Booth misses with a punch on the inside.
Date fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Booth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Date on the inside.
Booth blocking some punches.
Date lands with a short shot to the head.
Booth goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Date fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Date lands a body punch.
Booth working aggressively here.
Booth lands with a left to the head.
Booth tries to land a knee to the head but Date blocks with his arms.
Booth connects with a knee to the head.
Date is trying to maintain a safe position but Booth gets an underhook and turns Date into the ropes.
Booth misses with a body punch.
Booth misses with a punch on the inside.
A hook to the body from Date.
Booth throws a knee to the head but misses.
Date fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Booth lands a hook to the side of the head.
Date lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Booth backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Date.
Nice body punch from Date - that landed with a thud.
Date working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Booth tries to throw a body punch but Date avoids it by throwing Booth back against the ropes.
Booth using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Date has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Booth scores with a shoulder strike.
Booth with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Booth lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Booth misses with a knee to the head.
Booth blocking some punches.
Booth misses with a hook to the ribs.
Still in the clinch, Booth scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Date fails to land.
Booth blocking some punches.
Date lands a body punch.
Date tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Booth lands a damaging elbow.
Booth blocking some punches.
Date tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Booth.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Booth lands a good knee to the midsection. Date won't want to take too many of those.
Date fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Booth is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Date is defending well for now.
Booth misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but William Booth will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Lee Date's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Booth slips a jab from Date.
Date steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Booth.
Booth throws a low kick but it's checked well by Date.
Booth tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Date was well out of range. Poor timing from Booth.
Date looks to score with a jab to the body but Booth is just out of range.
Booth moves into range and connects with a jab.
Booth misses with an uppercut. Date saw that one coming.
Date misses with a hook to the body
and Booth counters with a straight right hand.
A nice combination there by Date.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Booth fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Date misses with a hook. Booth ducked under it nicely.
Date ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Date lands a jab to the nose.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Booth tries to move into range but Date moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Date looks to score with a jab to the body but Booth is just out of range.
Date looks to land a combination but Booth avoids it well.
Booth throws a fast counter high kick but Date manages to duck under it in time.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Booth works the jab nicely.
Booth throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Date is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Booth misses the shot to the body.
Date throwing a counter right hand but Booth manages to avoid it.
Date misses with a looping left.
Date avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Date fails in his attempt to clinch.
Booth walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Booth throws the left hand but Date avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Date as he connects with a hook.

Date cracks Booth with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Booth looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Date finish him?

Booth is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Date misses with a few strikes there.
Booth is still on wobbly legs! Can Date finish him?
Date misses with a jab to the body
and Booth counters with a three punch combo that has Date backing up. Date nods at Booth to acknowledge the strikes.
Nice body punch from Date.
Booth seems to have recovered his senses.

Date drops Booth with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Booth looks back up at him and smiles so Date waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
Booth keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Date keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Booth swings widly with a right hand
and Date counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A slapping leg kick lands for Booth.
Date throws a lazy uppercut
and Booth cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Date misses with a hook. Booth ducked under it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Date throws a lazy right hand but Booth sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Date on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
An inside leg kick from Booth misses.
Booth fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Date looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Booth slips under a jab from Date.
Nice uppercut lands for Date. That snapped Booth's head back.
Date lands a nice shot to the body.
Date throws a sloppy body shot
and Date takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Date looks to throw the jab but Booth is out of range.
Date misses with a body shot.
Booth walks into a jab.
Booth uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Date.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Date connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Date checks the leg kick.

Date instigates a clinch.
Booth throws a knee to the head but misses.
Date lands with a light punch inside.
Booth misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Date.
Booth lands a body punch.
Booth working aggressively here.
Booth misses with a knee strike.
Date blocks an uppercut.
Date blocking some punches.
Booth is looking to control Date's arms but Date gets an underhook and turns him. Now Booth has his back to the ropes.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Booth lands a right hand that snaps the head of Date backwards.
Date scores with a nice hook to the head.
Booth has had enough of the clinch but Date keeps him there for the moment.
Booth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lee Date dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Lee Date's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Booth misses with a left hand
and Date counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
That kick from Booth tenderised Date's leg. Date is trying to keep his angry face on.
Date takes one to the chin there.
Booth uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Date.
Booth unleashes a big counter combination but Date bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Booth cracks Date with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Booth takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Booth throws a nice inside leg kick.
Booth throws a nice outside leg kick.
Booth scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Date misses with a right hand
and Booth counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A jab from Booth does it's job there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Date throws an overhand right that lands on Booth's shoulder, as Booth tries to avoid the shot.
Lee Date is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Date ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Date throws the left hand but Booth avoids the punch easily.
Booth will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Date swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Booth pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Date throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Booth counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Date thinking.
Date takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Booth misses with a straight left.
Date looks to land a right hand but Booth moved out of range.
Date throws a lazy right hand but Booth sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Date throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Booth takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Booth tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Date was well out of range. Poor timing from Booth.
Date waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Booth.
Booth tries a quick counter leg kick but Date is wise to it.

Date takes the fight into the clinch.
Date lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Booth trying to control the position but instead, Date has worked for underhooks and has pushed Booth into the ropes.
Booth tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Date prevents Booth from breaking the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Booth fails to land.
Booth misses with a knee to the head.
Booth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Date can't find room to land a body shot as Booth controls the action.
Booth tries to land a knee to the head but Date blocks with his arms.
Booth working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Booth is working Date over against the ropes.
Date lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Booth backwards.
Booth tries a knee to the head but Date blocks it.

Booth pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Date falls off balance throwing a combination
and Booth connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Date throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Booth dodges the punch combination from Date.
Date throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Date throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Booth counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Date misses with a body shot.
Booth slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Date has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Booth.
Booth uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Date.
Date ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Date tests Booth's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Date is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Booth throws a body punch but Date moves out of range.
Booth lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Booth avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Booth appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Date cracks Booth with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
A jab from Date misses.
Booth uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Date.
Booth looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Booth slips a straight right by Date.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to William Booth.
I think Booth has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... William Booth!
A relieved looking William Booth thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.