PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between TJ Tate (ranked 6828 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luka Gaible (ranked 4745 p4p, 0 weight class). Tate's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, shotta flow . Luka Gaible has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with TJ Tate's chin.

Tate
vs
Gaible

196 cm
19
255 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

188 cm
25
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, TJ Tate!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Luka Gaible!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tate scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Tate scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Gaible tries to get to full guard but Tate has control of the leg.
Gaible is still trying to improve position.
Tate seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Tate trying to mount his opponent but Gaible defends it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaible trying to control but Tate postures up.
Tate is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tate is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
It looks like Tate is going to stand back up.
Tate with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Tate tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gaible knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ground and pound from Tate.
Tate landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Tate performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Tate seems to be looking for submissions.
Tate is pressing down on Gaible's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gaible is holding on for now.
Tate looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaible wants to control but Tate is keeping busy.
Gaible tries to get to full guard but Tate has control of the leg.
Well, if Tate is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Gaible tries to clinch up
and Tate finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
A left and a right from Gaible both land. Nice combination.
Gaible fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gaible dives in and grabs Tate's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tate pushes down on Gaible's head and hops out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tate looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Gaible!
Tate looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Gaible is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Tate controls the position from side control.
Gaible gets back to half guard.
Tate is nestled in close to Gaible, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tate with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gaible gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tate to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Tate tries to free his leg and advance position but Gaible is retaining full guard.
Tate scoring with some ground and pound.
Gaible trying to control the position.
Gaible being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gaible tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tate content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tate is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Tate pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gaible is keeping the position for now.

Gaible is looking for a triangle but Tate pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gaible is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tate stands and throws Gaible's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Tate slows the pace down.
Tate wants to stand but Gaible has his arm trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaible is letting Tate control him for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Gaible darts in trying to clinch

and Tate counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Tate slips nicely into half guard.

Tate is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gaible has managed to free his arm - good work.
Gaible taking some punishment here, with Tate in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaible wants to get back to his feet.
Gaible trying to control here.
Gaible is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tate scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ground and pound from Tate.
Tate is thwarting Gaible's attempts to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Tate is looking for a kimura here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Tate dominated that second round.
That's time! Tate's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tate throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Tate shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Gaible controls Tate momentarily but Tate frees himself.
Tate scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gaible is trying to keep Tate in close.
Tate trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gaible working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Tate has passed into half guard!

Tate wants to work for an arm triangle but Gaible is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate content to control rather than advance.
Gaible works his way to full guard. Good work.
Tate has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gaible looking for a sweep. Not yet Gaible, not yet.
Tate tries to free his leg and advance position but Gaible is retaining full guard.
Tate is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gaible working a defensive guard here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Gaible wants to clinch up but Tate keeps it at a distance.
Gaible is looking to clinch.
Tate showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gaible.

Tate throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gaible tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Tate is in Gaible's guard.
Gaible tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gaible is on top in guard.

Tate has his hands on Gaible's head, controlling the position.
TJ Tate overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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.
Gaible trying to control the position from guard on top but Tate is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tate pulls Gaible in to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tate keeping moving, preventing Gaible from controlling successfully.
Tate lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
TJ Tate showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tate, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... TJ Tate!
TJ Tate seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.