PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gobal Batra (ranked 801 p4p, 118 weight class) and Clifton Von Lee (ranked 919 p4p, 133 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Batra
vs
Von Lee

190 cm
31
209 lbs
20 - 13 - 2

190 cm
36
210 lbs
29 - 21 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 20 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Gobal Batra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Clifton Von Lee!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Wagner Zegers and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Batra misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Batra takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Von Lee lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Batra throws a leg kick but Von Lee moved away.
Batra lands with a shot to the body.
Batra throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Von Lee moves away from the strike by Batra.
Batra looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Von Lee ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Batra moves away.
Batra misses with a head kick.
Batra connects with a single shot there.
Batra throws a head kick but Von Lee moves out of range.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Von Lee has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
A nice leg kick lands there from Batra.
Batra scores with the left hand. Von Lee knows he should have avoided that one.
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!
Von Lee fails to land the takedown.
Batra appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Lee pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Batra is looking to counter with a body kick.
Von Lee misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Batra throws a jab but it's blocked by Von Lee.
Von Lee changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Batra shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Von Lee eats them both and turns towards Batra to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Von Lee gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Batra.
Von Lee on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Von Lee!

It looks like Gobal Batra has been cut.
Von Lee on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Von Lee lands a lovely overhand right.
Gobal Batra seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
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!
Von Lee keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Von Lee throws out a loose jab but Batra uses good head movement to avoid it.
Von Lee shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Batra sprawls well. Batra wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Von Lee gets slowly back to his feet.
Batra swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batra takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Von Lee works Batra's body with a nice hook.
Batra fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Von Lee has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Von Lee checks a low kick from Batra.
A solid leg kick lands there for Von Lee.

Batra closes the distance and clinches.

Batra gets control of Von Lee's arms and successfully pulls guard. Batra will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Batra is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Batra controls Von Lee momentarily but Von Lee frees himself.
Von Lee being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batra working a defensive guard here.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Batra holds on and takes a little breather.
Von Lee throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Batra misses with a left hand
and Von Lee connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Batra lands with an uppercut that bounces Von Lee off the cage and back into range.
Von Lee scores with the left hand. Batra knows he should have avoided that one.
Von Lee throws a looping overhand right but Batra ducks down to avoid it.
Von Lee throws a jab when Batra was well out of range.
Batra fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Von Lee has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Von Lee drops his hands momentarily and Batra takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Von Lee ducks under a wild hook from Batra.
Von Lee pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Batra back to the cage. Von Lee follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Batra goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Batra swings for the body but Von Lee moves out of range.
Batra fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Von Lee takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gobal Batra dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gobal Batra's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Von Lee clobbers Batra with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Batra tries to clinch but Von Lee moves out of range.
Batra misses with the combination.
Batra is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Von Lee can do to turn this around?
Von Lee scores with a jab to the jaw.
Von Lee moves out of range of the leg kick from Batra.
A big right from Von Lee misses.
Batra tries to counter by clinching up but Von Lee breaks away and moves out of range.
Von Lee looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Batra waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Von Lee.
Von Lee looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batra changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Von Lee just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd cheers as Batra lands an impressive looking overhand right. Von Lee doesn't seem phased though.
Batra misses with the body kick
and Von Lee counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batra on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Batra connects with a leg kick. Von Lee looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Von Lee pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Von Lee throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Batra.
Von Lee missing with a left hand there. Batra was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Batra throws a solid leg kick but Von Lee takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Batra.
Batra lands with an overhand left.
Batra lands a leg kick that knocks Von Lee off balance momentarily.
Batra tries to land a front kick but Von Lee steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Von Lee lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Batra misses with a leg kick.
Batra throws a quick inside leg kick.
Batra connects with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batra throws out a loose jab but Von Lee uses good head movement to avoid it.
Batra misses with a low kick.
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!
Batra buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Batra lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Batra tries a head kick but it misses.
Batra keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Von Lee throws a body shot but no joy.

Batra gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Batra gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Von Lee wants to get back to full guard.
Batra is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Lee is controlling Batra's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Batra in particular looking to stall.
Von Lee trying to hold on to Batra's head to control him but Batra postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Batra uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Von Lee.
Batra scores with a hook to the body. Von Lee takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Von Lee throws a push kick but Batra slaps the foot to one side.
Batra swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Von Lee ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Batra moves away.
Batra connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Von Lee fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Batra sprawls well initially but Von Lee persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Batra has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Von Lee is working away from the top position though.
Von Lee looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Von Lee throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Batra kicks Von Lee off and gets back to his feet.
Von Lee checks a low kick from Batra.
A jab from Batra misses.
Von Lee lands an overhand right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gobal Batra dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Gobal Batra's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Batra connects with a good right hand that stumbles Von Lee. Von Lee circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nice jab there from Batra.
Decent striking displayed by Batra there.
Batra connects with an inside leg kick.
Batra is looking to score with low kicks.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Von Lee lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Batra has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Batra and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Batra scores with a shot to the body.
Batra turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Von Lee looks to land a combination but Batra avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Von Lee jabs Batra right on the nose. Batra blinks but takes it well.
Batra fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Von Lee on the side of the head.
Von Lee takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Von Lee with the counter takedown but Batra avoids it easily.
Gobal Batra is winning the standup battle so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Batra rushes Von Lee and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Von Lee has hold of one of Batra's legs. Batra is fighting the takedown attempt but Von Lee gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Batra pushes Von Lee off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Von Lee checks the leg kick nicely there.
Batra looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Von Lee takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Von Lee misses with a wild body shot.
Von Lee is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A jab from Von Lee does it's job there.
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!
A good leg kick by Von Lee.
Von Lee shoots in but no luck this time.
Batra moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Batra lands with a straight right. Von Lee didn't see that one coming.
Batra throws a jab but it's blocked by Von Lee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Batra - that will leave a mark!
Von Lee closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Batra lands with a shot to the body.
Von Lee connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Batra lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A lazy body kick from Batra
and Von Lee counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Batra connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Batra misses with a low kick as Von Lee jumps back.
And Von Lee tries to counter it with a takedown but Batra pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Batra misses with a looping left.
Gobal Batra is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Von Lee moves out of range as Batra throws a body kick.
Von Lee replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Batra blocks it well.
Von Lee avoids the head kick by Batra.
Von Lee is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Batra.
Gobal Batra is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batra plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Batra cracks Von Lee with an open hand slap.
Batra keeps Von Lee at a distance using the push kick.

Von Lee shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Batra napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Batra is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Von Lee is looking to take a break and control but Batra is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Clifton Von Lee has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Batra is doing well to control the position and prevent Von Lee from advancing to side control.
Von Lee throwing shots but Batra is blocking nicely.
Batra wants to control but Von Lee is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Batra on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batra trying to hold on to Von Lee's head to control him but Von Lee postures up.
Batra tries to kick Von Lee off but Von Lee keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Von Lee scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Von Lee sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Von Lee looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
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!
Von Lee is keen to just control but Batra is a slippery customer.
Batra trying to control from the bottom.

Von Lee is trying to work for a kimura but Batra is defending well.
Batra preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gobal Batra showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Batra has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gobal Batra!
After winning the bout, Gobal Batra thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.