PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tyrone Bate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josiah Scurlock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Josiah Scurlock will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Bate
vs
Scurlock

166 cm
25
144 lbs
15 - 6 - 1

173 cm
28
144 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Tyrone Bate!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Josiah Scurlock!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Scurlock scores with a punch to the head.
Scurlock ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bate does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Scurlock misses with a body shot.
Scurlock throws an off balance right hand
and Bate counters with a good, hard body kick but Scurlock shrugs it off.
Bate with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Scurlock to score with a decent uppercut.
Bate thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bate throws a nice inside leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Scurlock blocks the leg kick.
Bate throws a head kick but Scurlock moves out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Scurlock.
Bate fails with a takedown attempt.
Bate works Scurlock's body with a nice hook.
Scurlock rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bate moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Scurlock pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Bate is predictable there
and Scurlock counters with a stiff right hand.
Josiah Scurlock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Scurlock swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Scurlock rushes Bate and presses him up against the cage.
Bate throws a punch but it's blocked by Scurlock.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Bate drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Scurlock gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Bate has clasped his hands together around Scurlock's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Bate working the head and body with strikes.

Bate tries for a kimura but Scurlock is defending well.
Scurlock is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Scurlock wants to control but Bate is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Scurlock is looking for a sweep. Bate is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bate has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Bate throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Scurlock is controlling Bate's trapped leg to prevent Bate from advancing to side control.
Scurlock trying to control from the bottom.
Scurlock desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Scurlock blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bate.
Bate is trying to control the action in half guard but Scurlock is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Scurlock wants to improve his position but Bate is controlling well.
Bate is keen to just control but Scurlock is a slippery customer.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Josiah Scurlock hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Bate looks for a takedown but Scurlock sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyrone Bate. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Scurlock misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bate moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Scurlock keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Scurlock tries to clinch but Bate moves out of range.
No joy there for Scurlock, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Scurlock lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Bate with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Bate moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Scurlock blocks a head kick by Bate.

Bate shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Scurlock is trying to defend but Bate finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Bate looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Scurlock keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock pushes Bate off looking to stand but Bate dives back in and keeps control.
Scurlock won't allow Bate to pass to mount.
Bate content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Bate not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Scurlock is refusing to be controlled, as Bate sits in half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bate prevents Scurlock from improving his position.
Bate is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Scurlock looking for a sweep. Not yet Scurlock, not yet.
Scurlock utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bate content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Scurlock looking for a sweep. Not yet Scurlock, not yet.
Scurlock keeping moving, preventing Bate from controlling successfully.
Bate landing with the ground and pound.
Scurlock has Bate pulled in close to control his posture.
Bate sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Scurlock's guard.
Scurlock has hold of Bate's hands but Bate slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Bate prevents Scurlock from improving his position.

Bate is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Scurlock doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Bate.
Scurlock pushes Bate off looking to stand but Bate dives back in and keeps control.
Scurlock trying to control but Bate postures up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Scurlock is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bate winds up and cracks Scurlock with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bate controlling the action here.
Bate tries to pass the half guard into mount. Scurlock knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Bate is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Scurlock!
Scurlock is bucking up trying to escape but Bate cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Scurlock takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Bate can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Scurlock is looking to escape.
Bate scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Scurlock tries to hold on but Bate postures up.
Scurlock manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Bate is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Bate drops an elbow to the side of Scurlock's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Bate with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Bate is working for a submission of some sort.
Scurlock is looking to improve his position.
Scurlock is concentrating on defense, preventing Bate from advancing position.
Scurlock is in trouble now - Bate has advanced to mount!
Scurlock can't escape the position.
Scurlock wants to control but Bate is having none of it.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Bate cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Scurlock really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Bate wants to control the pace but Scurlock is squirming around nicely.
Bate has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Scurlock's face.
Scurlock is looking to get to half guard.
Bate lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Scurlock is rocked!
Bate wants to control the pace but Scurlock is squirming around nicely.
Scurlock is still in real trouble! Can Bate finish him?
Scurlock seems to have recovered his senses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Scurlock working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrone Bate 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.

Bate drives through with a takedown into Scurlock's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Bate won't allow Scurlock to sweep him here.
Bate looking to sit in guard and control but Scurlock gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Scurlock seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Bate is looking for a triangle but Scurlock pushes his legs off easily.

Bate escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Scurlock gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Bate working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Scurlock doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Scurlock manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bate keeping moving, preventing Scurlock from controlling successfully.
Scurlock pushes down on Bate's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Well, if Scurlock 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.
Bate slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bate 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock tries to stand but Bate is controlling from the bottom.
Scurlock preventing the sweep.
Bate is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tyrone Bate overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Bate looking to hit a scissor sweep but Scurlock is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Scurlock accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bate is pulling down on Scurlock's head. It's preventing any offense from Scurlock, at least for the moment.
Scurlock trying to control the position from guard on top but Bate is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Josiah Scurlock.
Scurlock connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bate's hands.
Scurlock takes a swing at Bate's ribcage but misses.
Bate looks to land a left hand but Scurlock moved out of range nicely.
Bate looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bate uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Scurlock.
A big left from Scurlock misses.
A punch combination from Scurlock misses.
Scurlock throws a one two combo.
Bate fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Bate shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Scurlock pinned against the cage. Scurlock gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bate counters with a slapping leg kick.
Scurlock throws the left hand but Bate avoids the punch easily.
Scurlock closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bate counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Scurlock checks a low kick from Bate.
Bate moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Bate just misses with a punch to the body.
Scurlock's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Scurlock duly obliges.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bate misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A combination from Scurlock does no damage.
Scurlock looks to land a right hand but Bate moved out of range.
A big right from Scurlock misses.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bate sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Scurlock missing with a left hand there. Bate was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bate misses with a low kick.
No joy there for Scurlock, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bate thows a body shot but no joy.
Bate goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Scurlock displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bate.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyrone Bate. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Scurlock throws out a loose jab but Bate uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bate looks to score with a jab to the body but Scurlock is just out of range.
Bate swats away the attempt to clinch by Scurlock.
Scurlock lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Josiah Scurlock seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock misses with a double jab.
Scurlock jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Scurlock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bate was well out of range. Poor timing from Scurlock.
Bate shoots in but no luck this time.
Scurlock thuds a left hand into Bate's body.
Scurlock's corner calls for a 1-2. Scurlock obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Scurlock throws a right hand that Bate ducks under and follows up with a left that Bate also avoids with ease.
Horrible takedown by Bate or perhaps it was just good defense by Scurlock which made him look bad.
An inside leg kick lands from Bate.
Scurlock cracks Bate with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Bate feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Scurlock's calf.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock cracks Bate with a good jab.
Scurlock takes a kick to the side of the head.
Scurlock rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bate moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Josiah Scurlock is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Scurlock looks to score with a jab to the body but Bate is just out of range.
Bate staying out of range there.
Scurlock fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Bate on the side of the head.
Bate is looking to wear down Scurlock with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Scurlock lunges at Bate with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bate's hand.
Scurlock throws a hook but Bate blocks it.
A punch combination from Scurlock misses.
Bate misses with an attempted mid kick.
Scurlock swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Scurlock throws a combination. Bate tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bate moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bate loads up on a big right hand but Scurlock slips the punch.
Bate throws a body punch but Scurlock moves out of range.
Scurlock tries to bum rush Bate with a series of wild strikes but Bate uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
That kick from Bate tenderised Scurlock's leg. Scurlock is trying to keep his angry face on.
Scurlock throws a series of punches but Bate moves out of range.
Bate throws a low kick but Scurlock moves out of range easily.
Scurlock throws an overhand right that lands on Bate's shoulder, as Bate tries to avoid the shot.
Bate is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Scurlock.
Scurlock is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bate throws a low kick, looking for Scurlock's leg but Scurlock calmly moves out of range.
Bate uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Scurlock.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Bate misses with a left hand
and Scurlock counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Bate closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Scurlock quickly recovers to half guard.
Scurlock controlling the position for now.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bate connects with a nice short shot to Scurlock's temple.
Bate tries to pass to full mount but Scurlock defends it.
Scurlock is looking for a sweep. Bate is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Scurlock is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bate lands strikes from half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bate seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Scurlock does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Scurlock is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Scurlock is staying active underneath Bate, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Josiah Scurlock will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Bate staying out of range there.
Bate keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Scurlock.
Bate throws a head kick but Scurlock moves out of range.
Scurlock misses with a wild body shot.
Scurlock fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bate misses with a looping right.
A left lands for Scurlock.
Scurlock takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Scurlock misses with a lunging right hand
and Bate counters with a thumping low kick.
Bate uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Scurlock.
Scurlock throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bate.

Bate goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Scurlock has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Bate but great work by Scurlock.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scurlock wants to control but Bate is keeping him busy.
Bate manages to work his way to half guard, despite Scurlock's best efforts.
Scurlock content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Bate is pressing down on Scurlock's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Bate is looking for a triangle but Scurlock pushes his legs off easily.
Scurlock looking to pass the guard.
Scurlock won't allow Bate to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock advances position into side control!
Bate tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Scurlock trying to control the position but Bate is working away.
Bate gets back to half guard.
Bate has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Scurlock is working away from the top position though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bate makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bate looking for a guillotine here but Scurlock defends easily.

Bate has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Scurlock can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Scurlock stands up and waves to Bate to follow him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Scurlock. Bate does a little dance to reset his feet.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bate.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bate on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Scurlock throws a jab but it's blocked by Bate.
Bate throws a low kick, looking for Scurlock's leg but Scurlock calmly moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Scurlock. Bate does a little dance to reset his feet.
Scurlock misses with a double jab
and Bate counters with a straight right hand.
Bate misses with a low kick.
Scurlock blocks a low kick nicely.
Scurlock throws a right and a left that both miss.
Scurlock loads up on a big right hand but Bate slips the punch.
Bate throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Scurlock sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Scurlock fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Bate dives in and grabs Scurlock's left leg, looking for a takedown. Scurlock pushes down on Bate's head and hops out.
Bate lands a jab to the nose.

Bate shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Bate prevents Scurlock from improving his position.
Scurlock makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Scurlock.
Scurlock is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bate trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bate stopping the sweep attempt from Scurlock.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Bate is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bate wants to control from the top but Scurlock keeps moving.

Scurlock pushes Bate off and gets back to his feet.
Scurlock scores with a crisp jab that stopped Bate in his tracks.
Some bone on bone action there as Scurlock checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bate blocks a jab.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Scurlock checks a leg kick.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock lands with a nice body punch.
Bate moves out of range of the strikes.
Bate takes a swing at Scurlock's ribcage but misses.
Scurlock throws a hook to the side of Bate's head but Bate sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Scurlock's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Scurlock loads up on a big right hand but Bate slips the punch.
Scurlock throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bate counters with a leg kick.
Bate shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Scurlock pinned against the cage. Scurlock gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bate throws a lazy body kick
enabling Scurlock to counter with a crisp jab.
Bate moves away from the strike by Scurlock.
Scurlock lands with an uppercut that bounces Bate off the cage and back into range.
Bate misses with a body shot.
A jab from Scurlock misses.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Scurlock blocks the low kick.
Bate wants to slow Scurlock down by chopping away at his legs.
Scurlock connects with a body shot that sends Bate's belly button to the back.
Bate slips under a jab from Scurlock.
Nice uppercut there from Scurlock.
Scurlock ducks under a wild hook from Bate.
Scurlock misses with a straight left.
Bate slips under a jab.
Scurlock looks to land a right hand but Bate moved out of range.

Bate dives in and scores a takedown into Scurlock's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bate wants to control from the top but Scurlock keeps moving.
Bate looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Bate loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Scurlock preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Scurlock controls Bate momentarily but Bate frees himself.
Bate won't allow Scurlock to get back to his feet.
Bate is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bate trying to control the position from guard on top but Scurlock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Scurlock not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tyrone Bate.
I think Bate has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Tyrone Bate!
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Tyrone Bate!
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Tyrone Bate!

Tyrone Bate wins by unanimous decision!
After the fight, Tyrone Bate was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.