PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Starks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Micah Latote (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Starks
vs
Latote

185 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
194 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes comics

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gabriel Starks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Micah Latote!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Ryoma Takatsuka and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Latote wants to clinch.
A combination from Latote does no damage.
Starks fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Starks clinches up with Latote and pushes him back against the cage.
Starks has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Starks has Latote pressed against the cage.
Latote has a couple of punches blocked by Starks.

Starks gets control of Latote's arms and successfully pulls guard. Starks will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Starks escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Latote gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Latote has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Starks is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Latote must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Starks looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Starks controlling the position.
Latote tries to stand but Starks is controlling from the bottom.
Latote really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Starks. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Starks is controlling Latote's posture.
Latote wants to get up but he can't break Starks's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Latote being controlled here momentarily.
Starks's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Gabriel Starks just wasn't active enough.
Starks goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Latote takes a swing at Starks's ribcage but misses.
Latote misses with an uppercut. Starks saw that one coming.
Latote stuffs the takedown.
Latote closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Micah Latote is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Starks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Starks tries to score a power double leg takedown but Latote sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Starks somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gabriel Starks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Latote misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Latote throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Latote tries to clinch but Starks moves out of range.
Starks avoids the body shot from Latote.
Latote scores with a hook to the body. Starks takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Latote lands with a nice body kick.
Starks fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Starks is breathing heavily.
Starks shoots for a double leg takedown but Latote sprawls well. He's pushed Starks's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A left lands for Latote.
Latote throws a one two combo.

Starks is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starks dodges the punch combination from Latote.
Oh Starks is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Starks gets clipped by a big right hand and goes down spinning to the canvas! Latote gets the back mount and begins to drop bombs on his rocked foe! Starks is too out of it to defend against the strikes and the referee jumps in to save him from the beatdown!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:09 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Micah Latote!
An out of breath Micah Latote thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.