PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Drive Faster (ranked 8018 p4p, 470 weight class) and RK Mate (ranked 7236 p4p, 455 weight class). RK Mate acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Faster
vs
Mate

169 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

168 cm
25
146 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Drive Faster!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, RK Mate!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Joseph Jones and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Faster misses with a low kick.
Mate circles away from the clinch attempt
and Mate counters with a straight right hand.
Mate throws a nice looking combination but Faster bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Mate has Faster up against the cage in a clinch.
Faster misses with a knee to the head.
Mate tries to pull guard but Faster forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Faster tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mate can't break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mate decides to pull guard.
Mate keeping moving, preventing Faster from controlling successfully.
Mate looking to hit a scissor sweep but Faster is one step ahead there.

Mate has his foot on Faster's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Faster works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faster tries to stand but Mate is controlling from the bottom.
Faster is looking to advance position but Mate has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Faster tries to lock up and control but Mate gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Faster is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Poor strikes thrown by Mate there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Faster avoids a series of strikes thrown by Mate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mate misses with a head shot.
Mate looking to control and managing it successfully.
Mate's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mate looking to ground and pound but Faster is blocking nicely.
Mate thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Mate throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Faster because Mate loaded up on that one.

Mate working for a guillotine from mount but Faster is in no mood to give up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mate working for a guillotine from mount but Faster is in no mood to give up.
Mate unloads with some shots from mount but Faster bucks and avoids them well.

Mate looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Faster holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Mate tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Mate has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Mate is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Faster can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Mate moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Faster has worked his arm free - good work by Faster!
Mate taking a breather here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

RK Mate dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mate has closed the distance and engaged Faster in a clinch.
Faster using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mate has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Faster with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Faster misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mate.
Faster throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mate tries to circle away but Faster has him pinned against the cage.
Faster misses with a knee to the head.
Mate wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Faster tries to land a knee to the head but Mate blocks with his arms.
Faster tries a knee to the head but Mate blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mate jumps guard and drags Faster to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We've been informed that Mate has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Mate has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mate tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Faster would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Mate keeping moving, preventing Faster from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mate 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.
Mate striking off his back but it's not causing Faster any problems.
Faster tries to stand but Mate is controlling from the bottom.
Mate looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Mate pushes Faster off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Faster feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Mate's calf.
Nice takedown defense from Faster. No joy for Mate on that attempt.
Faster throws a quick inside leg kick.
Faster throws a nice looking combination but Mate bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mate clinches up against the cage.
Mate wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Faster has him pressed against the cage.
Faster throws a knee to the head but misses.
Faster misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Faster looking to throw knees to the head but Mate is blocking nicely.
A body shot lands from Mate.
Mate is looking to break free of the clinch but Faster has double underhooks.
Faster throws a knee to the head but misses.
Faster using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mate has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Faster tries to land a knee to the head but Mate blocks with his arms.
Mate tries for a takedown but Faster manages to get underhooks.

Mate pulls guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mate throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Faster trying to control the position from guard on top but Mate is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mate wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
More stalling from Mate.

Mate is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mate wants to sweep but no luck.
Faster has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Mate is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Faster defends well.
Mate keeping moving, preventing Faster from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Drive Faster is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mate is trying hard to land a takedown here. Faster sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Faster appears to be looking for a big counter.
Drive Faster has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of RK Mate.
Faster throws a leg kick that is checked
and Mate counters with a series of strikes. Faster will be more careful next time no doubt.
Faster defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mate.
Mate tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mate moves out of range of the body kick from Faster.
Faster leaves Mate with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Faster went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Faster fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Mate throws a series of strikes that have Faster backpedaling.

Mate closes the distance and pushes Faster back into the cage.
Mate wants a takedown.
Faster throws a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but RK Mate 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! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mate fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mate.
Faster tries to work over Mate's front leg with a kick but Mate checks it.
Faster tries to clinch there but Mate circles away.
Mate keeps the fight on the outside.
Drive Faster is winning the standup battle so far.
Faster tried to score with a low kick but Mate checks it.

Mate gets tackled into the cage by Faster. Faster maintains the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mate jumps guard and drags Faster to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Mate keeping moving, preventing Faster from controlling successfully.
Faster knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mate on the ground.
Mate looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faster pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mate is keeping the position for now.
Faster wants to get up but he can't break Mate's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Faster stays in close to Mate's body and controls the position.
Mate has his hands on Faster's head, controlling the position.
Faster wants to get up but he can't break Mate's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Mate looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Mate closes the distance and pushes Faster back into the cage.
Mate drops down looking for an ankle pick but Faster pulls his leg out and moves away.
Drive Faster has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of RK Mate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
A low kick from Faster is predictable there

and Mate counters by moving into the clinch.

Mate's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Mate gets tackled into the cage by Faster. Faster maintains the clinch.
Faster tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Faster gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mate.
Faster throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mate blocks it with crossed arms.
Faster misses with a knee to the head.

Faster breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Drive Faster is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mate tries for a takedown but Faster sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Mate rushes Faster and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Mate breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mate throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Faster throws a front kick aimed at Mate's knee but Mate avoids it well.
Mate avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mate drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Faster defends it well.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Faster.
Faster throws a leg kick that is checked

and Mate counters by moving into the clinch.
Mate wants to break the clinch but can't.
Faster tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Faster is pressed up against the cage. Mate has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Faster down to the mat. Faster avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Drive Faster seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mate goes for a double leg but Faster avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Faster continues to drive forward.

Mate moves into the clinch.

Mate jumps guard and drags Faster to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Faster passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Faster wants to control but Mate is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mate is looking for a sweep.
Faster trying to control the position but Mate is working away.
Faster wants to stand but Mate is controlling his arm.
Mate controls the position for a moment.
Faster wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mate keeps working.
Drive Faster has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
RK Mate is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mate manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to RK Mate.
I've got Mate winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... RK Mate!