PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Synyster Gates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samak Tiyapairat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gates kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Nightmare. Tiyapairat has chosen Ram Muay as his entrance music. Samak Tiyapairat is staring across the ring at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Gates
vs
Tiyapairat

170 cm
25
154 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

174 cm
22
153 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
World class MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Synyster Gates!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Samak Tiyapairat!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gates throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tiyapairat counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gates misses with an uppercut
and Tiyapairat counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gates throws a right hand that Tiyapairat ducks under and follows up with a left that Tiyapairat also avoids with ease.
Tiyapairat tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gates works over Tiyapairat's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Samak Tiyapairat has been cut.
Gates misses with a series of wild punches.
Gates misses with a hook
and Tiyapairat makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tiyapairat wants to clinch.
Gates throws an ugly left hook that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Gates blocks a head kick by Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat is looking to clinch but Gates is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch
and Gates counters with a left and a right that stings Tiyapairat.
Gates bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Tiyapairat's head.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch but Gates moves out of range.
Tiyapairat tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Gates counters with a stiff right hand.
A jab from Gates misses.
Gates swings widly with a right hand
and Tiyapairat counters with a big head kick but Gates shrugs it off.
Tiyapairat is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gates throws a left and a right that both miss
and Tiyapairat counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiyapairat closes the distance looking to clinch
and Gates counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nice jab there from Gates.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tiyapairat tries to clinch
letting Gates counter with a right hand.
Tiyapairat scoring well with a low kick there.
Gates throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Tiyapairat moves into range and clinches up with Gates.
Tiyapairat taking a breather.
Tiyapairat is pushing Gates up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Tiyapairat tries to land a knee to the head but Gates blocks with his arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiyapairat tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gates is trying to break free.
Gates wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tiyapairat is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Tiyapairat is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Gates has denied him.
Tiyapairat seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Gates on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tiyapairat is trying to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Samak Tiyapairat.
Gates throws a poor cross that misses
and Tiyapairat counters with a low kick, right behind Gates 's knee.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
No joy there for Gates, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tiyapairat is looking to clinch.

That's four 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.
Tiyapairat takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gates throws an off balance right hand
and Tiyapairat makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tiyapairat moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gates throws a lazy uppercut
and Tiyapairat counters with a body kick.
Gates tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tiyapairat was well out of range. Poor timing from Gates.
Gates scores with a jab.
Tiyapairat finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Tiyapairat darts in trying to clinch
and Gates counters with a stiff right hand.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Tiyapairat slips a straight right by Gates.
Gates throws an off balance right hand
and Tiyapairat counters with a slapping leg kick.
Gates connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tiyapairat momentarily.
Tiyapairat closes the distance but Gates moves to the side
and Gates counters with a one-two to the body.
Gates looks to land a right hand but Tiyapairat moved out of range.
Tiyapairat throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Gates misses with an uppercut
and Tiyapairat counters with a slapping leg kick.
Gates is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tiyapairat looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gates avoids the head kick by Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch up
and Gates cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gates throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tiyapairat uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gates.
Gates paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gates looks to land a right hand but Tiyapairat moved out of range.
A jab from Gates misses.
Gates loads up on a big right hand but Tiyapairat slips the punch.
Tiyapairat lands a nice looking body kick.
Tiyapairat slips under a jab.
Gates misses with an uppercut. Tiyapairat saw that one coming.
Tiyapairat uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gates.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch up
and Gates counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tiyapairat lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tiyapairat ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gates throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gates swinging wildly here.
Tiyapairat throws a leg kick but Gates checks it.
Gates takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Gates scores with a body shot.
Gates misses with a hook
and Tiyapairat counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Gates.
Gates misses with an uppercut
and Tiyapairat counters with a big head kick but Gates shrugs it off.
Gates is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Tiyapairat connects with an inside leg kick.
Tiyapairat tries to land a front kick but Gates steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Gates blocks a low kick nicely.
Gates throws an off balance right hand
and Tiyapairat counters with a leg kick.
Gates on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Gates is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Tiyapairat slips under a jab.
Gates pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Tiyapairat back to the ropes. Gates follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Tiyapairat fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Synyster Gates dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Samak Tiyapairat's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tiyapairat rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gates counters with a nice uppercut.
Tiyapairat drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Gates throws a right hand that misses
and Tiyapairat counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gates's knee momentarily.
Gates misses with an uppercut. Tiyapairat saw that one coming.
Tiyapairat throws a sloppy head kick and Gates moves out of range easily.
Tiyapairat keeps Gates at a distance using the push kick.
Gates scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Gates fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gates misses with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Tiyapairat tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Gates counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gates throws a poor cross that misses
and Tiyapairat counters with a leg kick.
Gates falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tiyapairat counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gates's knee momentarily.
Synyster Gates is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gates throws a shot to the body.
Tiyapairat throws a push kick but Gates slaps the foot to one side.
Gates throws out a loose jab but Tiyapairat uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tiyapairat fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gates throws an overhand right that lands on Tiyapairat's shoulder, as Tiyapairat tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gates slips under a jab from Tiyapairat.

Tiyapairat has Gates up against the ropes in a clinch.
Gates avoiding damage as Tiyapairat throws knees to the body.
Tiyapairat content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Gates wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gates is trying to push Tiyapairat away but Tiyapairat has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Gates tries to break free but Tiyapairat pushes him back against the ropes.
Gates managing to block the knees to the body from Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat looking to slow down the pace here.
Tiyapairat is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gates is defending well for now.

Gates breaks from the clinch.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch there but Gates circles away.
Tiyapairat ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gates misses with a combination
and Tiyapairat counters with a nice kick to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Gates there.
Tiyapairat has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Tiyapairat dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gates. That did some damage!
Tiyapairat looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tiyapairat misses with a low kick.
Tiyapairat scores with a head kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Tiyapairat misses the target.
Tiyapairat takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That has opened up Samak Tiyapairat's cut even more.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tiyapairat finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Gates circles away from the clinch attempt
and Gates counters with a stiff right hand.
Gates waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Gates counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Gates manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch up but Gates circles away and keeps his distance.
Gates darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gates misses with a straight right.
Gates throws a combination that misses
and Tiyapairat counters with a straight right hand.
Tiyapairat throws a low kick but it's checked well by Gates.
Gates circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gates lands with a good body shot.
Tiyapairat misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tiyapairat is looking to clinch but Gates is avoiding it.
Gates throws a right hand that misses

and Tiyapairat counters by moving into the clinch.
Tiyapairat throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gates managing to block the knees to the body from Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat trying to land knees to the body.

That's six 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.

Gates manages to break the clinch.
Gates thows a body shot but no joy.
Gates throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tiyapairat counters with an outside leg kick.
Tiyapairat misses with a wild body shot.
Synyster Gates is winning the standup battle so far.
Gates is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat lands a head kick!
Gates circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gates throws a looping overhand right but Tiyapairat ducks down to avoid it.
Gates takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Tiyapairat throws a head kick that misses.
Tiyapairat uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gates.
Gates fails to land with a series of punches.
Gates throws a poor cross that misses

and Tiyapairat counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Gates wants to get back to striking at distance but Tiyapairat won't allow it.
Tiyapairat taking a breather.
Gates is trying to push Tiyapairat away but Tiyapairat has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tiyapairat is trying to maintain a safe position but Gates gets an underhook and turns Tiyapairat into the ropes.
Tiyapairat lands a nice elbow.
Tiyapairat creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gates's defenses.
Tiyapairat has Gates pressed against the ropes, preventing Gates from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gates is trying to break free.

That's eight 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.
Gates can't break the clinch.
Gates is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Tiyapairat lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Tiyapairat just leaning against Gates, taking a breather.
Tiyapairat throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gates blocks it with crossed arms.
Tiyapairat lands a knee to the body.
Tiyapairat will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gates up against the ropes.
Tiyapairat putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gates in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Tiyapairat is struggling to control the position.
Tiyapairat misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gates.
Tiyapairat throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tiyapairat throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tiyapairat missing with knees to the body.
Gates managing to block the knees to the body from Tiyapairat.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Tiyapairat takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Tiyapairat continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Gates is trying to force a seperation but Tiyapairat has the dominant position.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Gates avoiding damage as Tiyapairat throws knees to the body.
Gates blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gates on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tiyapairat stalling the fight.
Tiyapairat is breathing heavily.
Tiyapairat keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gates's efforts to push away.
Tiyapairat stalling in the clinch but Gates improves position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Samak Tiyapairat.
Gates circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Samak Tiyapairat will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Samak Tiyapairat's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gates throws a right hand that misses
and Tiyapairat counters with a left to the body.
Gates throws a poor cross that misses
and Tiyapairat counters with a head kick.
Gates throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gates swings widly with a right hand
and Tiyapairat counters with a good low kick that Gates was not able to check.
Tiyapairat scoring well with a low kick there.
Gates tests Tiyapairat's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tiyapairat keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gates throws a poor cross that misses
and Tiyapairat counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gates's knee momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gates misses with a lunging right hand

and Tiyapairat counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tiyapairat.
Gates is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tiyapairat is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tiyapairat with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gates blocks an elbow strike from Tiyapairat.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Tiyapairat throws an elbow but misses.
Gates tries to circle away but Tiyapairat has him pinned against the ropes.
Gates avoiding damage as Tiyapairat throws knees to the body.
Gates tries to break free but Tiyapairat pushes him back against the ropes.
Tiyapairat tries a knee to the head but Gates blocks it.
Gates tries to break free but Tiyapairat pushes him back against the ropes.
Tiyapairat utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Tiyapairat connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gates's face.
Gates will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's two 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.
A frustrated look appears on Gates's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tiyapairat tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gates is trying to break the clinch but Tiyapairat has him pressed against the ropes.
Gates on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gates managing to block the knees to the body from Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat throws an elbow that misses.
Tiyapairat with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tiyapairat takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gates managing to block the knees to the body from Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat looking to slow down the pace here.
Gates is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Tiyapairat trying to land knees to the body.
Tiyapairat is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tiyapairat misses with an elbow over the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gates being controlled against the ropes.
Tiyapairat using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gates has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Gates wants to break free but Tiyapairat has control.
Tiyapairat throws an elbow that misses.
Tiyapairat using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gates has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tiyapairat throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gates blocks the elbow strike.
The referee calls for Tiyapairat to work.
Gates tries to break free but Tiyapairat pushes him back against the ropes.
Tiyapairat lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Tiyapairat tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tiyapairat misses with a knee to the head.
Gates looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
The referee is keeping an eye on Tiyapairat - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gates tries to break the clinch but Tiyapairat is controlling the position.
Gates is trying to break free.
Tiyapairat keeps control of Gates as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tiyapairat stalls.
Gates has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gates takes a knee to the side of the body.
Tiyapairat looking to slow down the pace here.
Tiyapairat lands a knee to the body.
Tiyapairat has Gates pressed against the ropes, preventing Gates from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tiyapairat pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Tiyapairat lands a knee to the head.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Tiyapairat trying to land knees to the body.
Gates avoiding damage as Tiyapairat throws knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Tiyapairat throws an elbow but it misses.

Gates escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tiyapairat takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tiyapairat dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gates. That did some damage!
Gates misses with a left hand
letting Tiyapairat counter with a right hand.
Tiyapairat tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gates swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gates scores with the left hand. Tiyapairat knows he should have avoided that one.
Gates tries to bum rush Tiyapairat with a series of wild strikes but Tiyapairat uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's six 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.
Gates keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tiyapairat lands a leg kick that knocks Gates off balance momentarily.
Tiyapairat wants to clinch but Gates slips to the side
enabling Gates to counter with a crisp jab.
Gates throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tiyapairat counters with a head kick.
Gates tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tiyapairat avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gates misses with a left hand
and Tiyapairat counters with a good low kick that Gates was not able to check.
Tiyapairat wants to clinch up but Gates keeps it at a distance.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gates blocks a head kick by Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gates. That did some damage!
Nice body kick from Tiyapairat.
No joy there for Gates, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tiyapairat moves out of range as Gates strikes.
Tiyapairat misses with a body kick.
Gates uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat tries to close the distance and clinch but Gates swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gates blocks a low kick nicely.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Tiyapairat gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gates wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gates wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tiyapairat has him pressed against the ropes.
Tiyapairat landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Tiyapairat stalling in the clinch but Gates improves position.
Tiyapairat pushes off an throws an elbow but Gates leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Gates looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gates wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tiyapairat stalling.
Gates wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gates is trying to break the clinch but Tiyapairat has him pressed against the ropes.
Tiyapairat throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gates blocks it with crossed arms.
Tiyapairat will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gates up against the ropes.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gates can't break the clinch.
Tiyapairat lands a knee to the body.
Gates on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gates wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tiyapairat lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Gates wants to break free but Tiyapairat has control.
Tiyapairat trying to land knees to the body.
Gates wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tiyapairat has him pressed against the ropes.
Gates wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tiyapairat lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee calls for Tiyapairat to work.
Tiyapairat taking a breather.
Gates tries to circle away but Tiyapairat has him pinned against the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samak Tiyapairat really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Samak Tiyapairat's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gates lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tiyapairat lands with a thumping leg kick.
Gates throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nice shot lands for Gates.
Tiyapairat is looking to clinch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tiyapairat, right into the meat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gates throws an off balance right hand

and Tiyapairat moves into the clinch.
Gates can't break the clinch.
Tiyapairat dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Tiyapairat is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gates wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tiyapairat has him pressed against the ropes.
Gates tries to break free but Tiyapairat pushes him back against the ropes.
Gates can't break the clinch.
Tiyapairat trying to land knees to the body.
Tiyapairat keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gates's efforts to push away.
Gates wants to break free but Tiyapairat has control.
Tiyapairat tries to stall but Gates uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tiyapairat content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Tiyapairat tries to land knees in the clinch but Gates avoids the damage to the body.
Tiyapairat stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Samak Tiyapairat.
Gates misses with a hook
and Tiyapairat counters with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gates fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tiyapairat on the side of the head.
Gates keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tiyapairat avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tiyapairat closes the distance looking to clinch
and Gates counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tiyapairat takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Tiyapairat drives through and clinches with Gates against the ropes.
Tiyapairat with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gates on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tiyapairat effectively controlling the action here.
Tiyapairat is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Tiyapairat pushes off an throws an elbow but Gates leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Tiyapairat is trying to maintain a safe position but Gates gets an underhook and turns Tiyapairat into the ropes.
Tiyapairat lands a damaging elbow.
Gates is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Gates wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tiyapairat creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gates's defenses.
Gates avoiding damage as Tiyapairat throws knees to the body.
Tiyapairat looking to stall.
Gates wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four 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.
Tiyapairat is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Tiyapairat tries to land knees in the clinch but Gates avoids the damage to the body.
Gates avoiding damage as Tiyapairat throws knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat is looking to control Gates's arms but Gates gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tiyapairat has his back to the ropes.
Tiyapairat has Gates pressed against the ropes, preventing Gates from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tiyapairat is trying to maintain a safe position but Gates gets an underhook and turns Tiyapairat into the ropes.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Samak Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gates's calf.
Gates checks a leg kick.
Gates swings for the body but Tiyapairat moves out of range.
Gates throws the left hand but Tiyapairat avoids the punch easily.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Gates connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gates misses with a body shot.
Gates swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tiyapairat counters with a big head kick but Gates shrugs it off.
Tiyapairat has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gates finds it's way round the side to connect with Tiyapairat's head.
Gates throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tiyapairat counters with a low kick, right behind Gates 's knee.
Tiyapairat looks to land a body kick but Gates moved away.
Gates ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tiyapairat moves away.
Gates looks to land a combination but Tiyapairat avoids it well.
Gates misses with a looping left.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gates throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tiyapairat counters with a low kick, right behind Gates 's knee.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Gates counters with a series of strikes. Tiyapairat will be more careful next time no doubt.
Gates throws a combination that misses
and Tiyapairat counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gates's knee momentarily.
Gates misses with a straight right.
Gates throws a big shot that misses.
Gates throws a lazy uppercut
and Tiyapairat counters with a body kick that stops Gates in his tracks momentarily.
Tiyapairat dodges the punch combination from Gates.
Gates throws an off balance right hand
and Tiyapairat counters with a nice leg kick.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Gates.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch there but Gates circles away.
Tiyapairat throws a leg kick but Gates moved away.
Tiyapairat feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gates's calf.
Tiyapairat tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Gates counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gates loads up on a big right hand but Tiyapairat slips the punch.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Gates manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's eight 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.
Tiyapairat slips under a jab from Gates.
Tiyapairat moves out of range of the strikes.
Gates misses with a hook
and Tiyapairat counters with a nice leg kick.
Gates scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Tiyapairat lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Gates is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tiyapairat.
Gates swings widly with a right hand

and Tiyapairat counters by clinching up.
Gates takes a knee to the side of the body.
Tiyapairat dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gates wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tiyapairat manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Gates wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gates takes an elbow to the forehead.
Tiyapairat missing with knees to the body.
Tiyapairat tries to stall but Gates uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tiyapairat keeps control of Gates as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tiyapairat keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gates's efforts to push away.
Gates tries to break the clinch but Tiyapairat is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tiyapairat lands a good knee to the midsection. Gates won't want to take too many of those.
Tiyapairat lands an elbow just above Gates 's eye.
Tiyapairat tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gates avoids it.
Gates is trying to break the clinch but Tiyapairat is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Samak Tiyapairat will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Samak Tiyapairat's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Tiyapairat lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tiyapairat pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gates scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Gates throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tiyapairat stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gates throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tiyapairat takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Tiyapairat misses with a low kick.
Gates misses with a left hand
and Tiyapairat counters with a good low kick that Gates was not able to check.
Gates throws an off balance right hand
and Tiyapairat counters with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gates jabs Tiyapairat right on the nose. Tiyapairat blinks but takes it well.
Tiyapairat tries to close the distance and clinch but Gates swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gates misses with a wild combination.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch up.
Gates tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tiyapairat was well out of range. Poor timing from Gates.
Tiyapairat is looking to clinch but Gates is avoiding it.
Tiyapairat slips a jab and a cross from Gates.

That's two 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.
Gates pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gates throws a right hand that misses
and Tiyapairat counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gates's knee momentarily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Gates darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Tiyapairat is looking to clinch.
Tiyapairat lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tiyapairat darts in trying to clinch
and Gates counters with a nice body shot.
Gates misses with a left hand
and Tiyapairat counters with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiyapairat tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Gates paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tiyapairat takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Tiyapairat moves out of range of the strikes.
Tiyapairat throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tiyapairat closes the distance looking to clinch
and Gates counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gates cracks a nice hook into Tiyapairat's ribs.
A good leg kick by Tiyapairat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gates misses the jab.
Tiyapairat wants to clinch but Gates slips to the side
and Gates counters with a nice uppercut.
Tiyapairat ducks under a wild hook from Gates.
Gates throws a lazy right hand but Tiyapairat sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tiyapairat keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gates.
Gates misses with a left hand
and Tiyapairat counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tiyapairat is looking to clinch.
Gates misses with a lunging right hand

and Tiyapairat counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Tiyapairat tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gates avoids it.
Gates blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gates is trying to break free.
Gates is trying to force a seperation but Tiyapairat has the dominant position.
Gates dodges an elbow strike from Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat prevents Gates from breaking the clinch.
Gates wants to break free but Tiyapairat has control.
Tiyapairat is trying to stall.
Tiyapairat landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Gates has had enough of the clinch but Tiyapairat keeps him there for the moment.
Tiyapairat misses with an elbow strike.
Tiyapairat lands a good knee to the midsection. Gates won't want to take too many of those.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Tiyapairat lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Gates is trying to push Tiyapairat away but Tiyapairat has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Tiyapairat taking a breather.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Tiyapairat tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gates wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tiyapairat is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gates is defending well for now.
Tiyapairat lands an elbow inside that Gates shrugs off.
Tiyapairat pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Tiyapairat lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Tiyapairat with a knee to the head.
Tiyapairat is trying to maintain a safe position but Gates gets an underhook and turns Tiyapairat into the ropes.
Gates wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tiyapairat has him pressed against the ropes.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Gates wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tiyapairat lands an elbow that stopped Gates in his tracks for a moment.
Gates tries to break the clinch but Tiyapairat is controlling the position.
Tiyapairat looking to throw knees to the head but Gates is blocking nicely.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Tiyapairat misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gates.
Tiyapairat is trying to stall.
Tiyapairat keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gates's efforts to push away.
Gates is looking to break free of the clinch but Tiyapairat has double underhooks.
Tiyapairat trying to control the position but instead, Gates has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tiyapairat into the ropes.
Tiyapairat misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gates.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Gates blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gates wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tiyapairat stalling in the clinch but Gates improves position.
Tiyapairat throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tiyapairat tries to land knees in the clinch but Gates avoids the damage to the body.
Gates wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gates dodges an elbow strike from Tiyapairat.
Gates on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tiyapairat tries to land knees in the clinch but Gates avoids the damage to the body.
Gates can't break the clinch.
Tiyapairat creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gates is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Gates avoiding damage as Tiyapairat throws knees to the body.
Gates is trying to push Tiyapairat away but Tiyapairat has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Tiyapairat pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Gates wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gates managing to block the knees to the body from Tiyapairat.
Gates blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tiyapairat landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tiyapairat trying to land knees to the body.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Tiyapairat is looking to control Gates's arms but Gates gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tiyapairat has his back to the ropes.
Gates avoiding damage as Tiyapairat throws knees to the body.
Gates on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Gates breaks from the clinch.
Gates throws a predictable looking body shot
and Tiyapairat counters with a slapping leg kick.
No joy there for Gates, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tiyapairat on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gates throws an off balance right hand
and Tiyapairat counters with a nice body kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch but Gates moves out of range.
Gates circles away from the clinch attempt
and Gates cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Samak Tiyapairat.
I think Tiyapairat 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Samak Tiyapairat!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Synyster Gates!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Samak Tiyapairat!

Samak Tiyapairat wins by split decision! Samak Tiyapairat retains his featherweight title!