PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Curtis Tate Iii (ranked 4677 p4p, 11099 weight class) and Sota Sankari (ranked 502 p4p, 607 weight class). Sota Sankari looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Tate Iii
vs
Sankari

185 cm
18
215
0 - 1 - 0

195 cm
51
260
14 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid 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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Curtis Tate Iii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sota Sankari!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Tiny Johnson and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tate Iii leaves Sankari with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sankari shoots in but no luck this time.

Tate Iii closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Sankari quickly recovers to half guard.
Sankari scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Tate Iii manages to mount him!
Sankari looks winded!
Tate Iii looking to control but Sankari is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Tate Iii unloads with some shots from mount but Sankari bucks and avoids them well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tate Iii throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Tate Iii content just to control the position here.
Sankari looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate Iii trying to control but Sankari is having none of it.
Tate Iii punching from mount but Sankari doing a good job of avoiding damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.
Sankari wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Tate Iii.
Tate Iii can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sankari is looking to escape.
Tate Iii throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Sankari because Tate Iii loaded up on that one.
Tate Iii looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Tate Iii prevents Sankari from getting the reversal.
Tate Iii controlling from mount.
Tate Iii thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tate Iii get's back to his feet.
Sankari shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tate Iii as he jumps to the side.
Curtis Tate Iii has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sota Sankari.

Tate Iii fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sankari, pushing him back against the cage.
Tate Iii wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sankari has him pressed against the cage.
Sankari misses with the head strike.
The referee is keeping an eye on Tate Iii - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Tate Iii breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Tate Iii has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tate Iii lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Tate Iii successfully pulls guard.

Sankari avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tate Iii 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.
Tate Iii is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sankari trying to control but Tate Iii is working from the bottom.

Tate Iii uses the cage to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tate Iii looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sankari is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tate Iii is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sankari can do to turn this around?
Sankari changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tate Iii tries to avoid it but Sankari manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tate Iii to the ground. Tate Iii escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tate Iii throws a big counter combination but Sankari scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Tate Iii tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sankari misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tate Iii shoots in for a double leg but Sankari sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tate Iii works the jab nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tate Iii shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sankari as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curtis Tate Iii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sankari is breathing heavily.

Sankari tries to keep at a distance but Tate Iii has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sankari tries to pull guard but Tate Iii holds him up against the cage and eventually Sankari drops back down to his feet.
Tate Iii is trying to break the clinch but Sankari is controlling him.
Tate Iii wants a takedown but no success here.
Tate Iii has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sankari is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Tate Iii can't break the clinch.

Tate Iii pulls Sankari into guard.
Tate Iii wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Tate Iii trying to keep a closed guard but Sankari is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tate Iii pulls Sankari in to control the position.

Tate Iii uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Tate Iii fails with the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Sankari as Tate Iii shoots in.
Sankari swats away the attempt to clinch by Tate Iii.
Sankari was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Tate Iii misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tate Iii fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate Iii changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sankari tries to avoid it but Tate Iii manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sankari to the ground. Sankari escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tate Iii has a takedown stuffed.
Sankari will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sankari looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Tate Iii moves into the clinch.
Tate Iii taking a breather.
Tate Iii tries for a takedown but Sankari manages to get underhooks.
Sankari wants a takedown but no success here.
Sankari keeps control of Tate Iii as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sankari is pressed up against the cage. Tate Iii has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sankari down to the mat. Sankari avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tate Iii misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sankari tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tate Iii swivels and escapes.

Tate Iii rushes Sankari and presses him up against the cage.
Tate Iii jumps guard but Sankari stands there with Tate Iii around his waist. Tate Iii gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tate Iii is trying to pull guard but Sankari turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Tate Iii is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sankari is defending well for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sankari's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tate Iii looks to land a combination. Sankari sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Tate Iii shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sankari sprawls well. Sankari wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tate Iii gets slowly back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Curtis Tate Iii dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sankari shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tate Iii defends it nicely.
Sankari defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tate Iii.
Sankari shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tate Iii but Tate Iii pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tate Iii appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Sankari takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tate Iii tries to work over Sankari's front leg with a kick but Sankari checks it.

Tate Iii clinches with his opponent.
Sankari keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tate Iii's efforts to push away.
Tate Iii has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sankari avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sankari takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate Iii jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sankari walks away with a smile on his face. Tate Iii gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curtis Tate Iii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sankari circles away from the clinch attempt.

Tate Iii moves into the clinch successfully.

Tate Iii breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Curtis Tate Iii is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sankari leaves Tate Iii with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Tate Iii gets a clinch.
Tate Iii throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tate Iii is looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tate Iii lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sankari misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tate Iii.

Tate Iii drags the fight down to the ground.
Tate Iii keeping moving, preventing Sankari from controlling successfully.
Tate Iii has his hands on Sankari's head, controlling the position.
Tate Iii trying to control the position.

Tate Iii is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate Iii tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sota Sankari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tate Iii is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tate Iii throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

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

Tate Iii clinches.
Tate Iii tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sankari just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tate Iii wants a takedown.
Sankari is pressed up against the cage. Tate Iii has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sankari down to the mat. Sankari avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sankari takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tate Iii tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sankari swivels and escapes.
Sankari walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nice sprawl there from Sankari as Tate Iii shoots in.
Tate Iii fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sankari doesn't manage to clinch there - Tate Iii circles away.
Tate Iii fails with a takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Curtis Tate Iii showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tate Iii 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Curtis Tate Iii!