PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sanford Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Wates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). George Wates will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Nelson
vs
Wates

172 cm
18
214 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Sanford Nelson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, George Wates!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Phil Schofield and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wates tries a head kick but it misses.
Nelson quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

Wates shoots in and bounces Nelson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Nelson wants to sweep but no luck.
Wates wants to control from the top but Nelson keeps moving.
Nelson wants to sweep but no luck.
Nelson throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Nelson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wates preventing the sweep.
Nelson 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.
Wates stays in close to Nelson's body and controls the position.
Wates has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Nelson is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson looking for a sweep. Not yet Nelson, not yet.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Nelson is striking off his back. Wates thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Nelson is pressing down on Wates's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Nelson keeping moving, preventing Wates from controlling successfully.
Nelson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wates is one step ahead there.
Wates trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

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.
Wates pushes down on Nelson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Nelson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nelson is looking for a sweep. Wates is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nelson wants to get back to his feet.
Nelson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Wates is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Nelson manages to get to full guard.
Wates trying to control the position from guard on top but Nelson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nelson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wates slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wates trying to control the position from guard on top but Nelson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nelson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Wates rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nelson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Wates gets a clinch.
Wates can't get the takedown.
Wates controlling the action here for a moment.
Wates takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wates lands a takedown into guard.
Nelson wants to sweep but no luck.

Nelson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wates doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wates manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wates wants to pass the guard but Nelson is keeping the position.
Nelson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nelson tries to strike from the bottom.
Nelson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wates advances position into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Wates dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Wates scores with a takedown into Nelson's guard.
Wates is pushing down on Nelson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nelson is fighting to maintain full guard but Wates has managed to sneak the leg through.
Wates trying to pass the guard but Nelson defending well.
Nelson is pressing down on Wates's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Nelson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Wates gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wates passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Nelson regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wates wants to take a breather but Nelson is having none of it.
Wates scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Nelson tries to kick Wates off but Wates keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Nelson wants to get back to full guard.
Wates has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wates wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nelson keeps working.
Nelson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nelson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Wates scoring with punches to the head and body.
Wates won't allow Nelson to sweep him here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wates not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Let's hope that Wates has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wates is one step ahead there.

Wates stands up and waves to Nelson to follow him.

Wates instigates a clinch.
Wates lands an uppercut.
Nelson tries to throw a body punch but Wates avoids it by throwing Nelson back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Wates stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Wates breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wates lands a nice looking body shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wates.
Wates thuds a left hand into Nelson's body.

Wates shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wates working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Nelson is refusing to be controlled, as Wates sits in half guard.
Wates trying to control the pace.
Nelson is trying to escape back to his feet but Wates uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Wates is putting a hurting on Nelson here, landing some big shots from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Wates is trying to get an arm triangle but Nelson is defending well.

Wates wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Nelson, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Wates showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Wates shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wates fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nelson avoids it really well and circles away.
Wates wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nelson looks for a takedown but Wates sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Wates fails with a takedown attempt.
Sanford Nelson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Wates.

Wates decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nelson is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wates wants to control but Nelson is keeping him busy.
Nelson wants to get back to full guard.
Nelson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Wates wants to stand but Nelson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Nelson lands an upkick as Wates stands over him.

Wates decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Nelson, up you get!

Nelson tries to sprawl but Wates drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Nelson is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Wates jumps into side control!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wates controlling from side mount.
Wates lands a few punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wates landing strikes.
George Wates has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nelson is trying to work for a sweep but Wates has mounted him!
Nelson is wriggling around trying to escape.

Wates stands up from mount. Strange move.
Wates lands a slapping body shot.
Wates tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nelson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wates somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wates shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Nelson actively working from the bottom here.

Wates is working for a kimura but Nelson is defending it quite comfortably.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wates looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Wates comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Wates has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Wates!