PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between JB Bates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocky Rage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Bates
vs
Rage

175 cm
25
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
18
133 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, JB Bates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rocky Rage!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bates shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rage as he avoids it easily.
Rage shoots in for a takedown but Bates shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rage throws a lazy uppercut
and Bates cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Bates shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rage is trying to defend but Bates finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Rage trying to hold on to Bates's head to control him but Bates postures up.
Bates controlling the action here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rage can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rage tries to roll over but Bates keeps him under control.
Bates works his way into full mount!
Rage working to try and regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Rage really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bates. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bates unloading with bombs!
Rage is looking to improve his position but Bates isn't that keen on the idea.
Bates has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rage's face.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rage wants to control but Bates is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rage is squirming around, avoiding Bates's attempts to control the action.
Rage regains half guard.

Bates stands up out of the half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rage throws a low kick but Bates avoids it.
Some bone on bone action there as Bates checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Bates tries to close the distance and clinch but Rage swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bates really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rage stuffs the takedown.
Rage rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bates moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bates is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bates checks a leg kick.
Bates blocks a low kick nicely.
Bates ducks under a wild hook from Rage.
A slow jab from Rage misses its intended target.
Bates tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Bates moves into the clinch.
Rage is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Bates has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rage uses from the top position.
Rage must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Bates has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Rage doesn't defend quickly enough and Bates has managed to lock this one up! Can Rage escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Bates on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). JB Bates!