PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Simon Bates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darwingh Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Simon Bates has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Bates
vs
Alvarez

178 cm
18
143 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

150 cm
22
130 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Simon Bates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Darwingh Alvarez!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bates is trying hard to land a takedown here. Alvarez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
We've been told by Bates's head coaches at Cozad MMA Las Vegas that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Bates moves into range and clinches up with Alvarez.

Alvarez manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Bates prevents Alvarez from getting back to his feet.
Bates throwing strikes but missing.

Alvarez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bates is aware though and is defending well.
Bates will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Alvarez trying to control the position.
Alvarez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bates.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bates throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alvarez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bates being controlled here momentarily.
Alvarez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bates throwing strikes but missing.
Bates throws an elbow that misses. Alvarez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bates's guard. Nice move by Alvarez!

Alvarez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Alvarez advances to half guard.
Alvarez is looking to stall here but Bates recovers full guard.
Bates keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez wants to pass the guard but Bates is keeping the position.
Alvarez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Bates seems a little lost for a moment, as Alvarez dominates the positioning.
Alvarez cracks Bates with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Alvarez controlling from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Bates tries to close the distance and clinch but Alvarez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bates fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Alvarez misses with a body shot.
Alvarez fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Bates on the side of the head.
Alvarez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As Alvarez looks to move away, Bates throws a big counter combo bu Alvarez just gets out of the way.
Bates tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Alvarez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A punch combination from Bates misses.

Alvarez darts in and clinches Bates up against the cage.

Alvarez ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Alvarez no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Alvarez is looking to stand up but Bates isn't so interested in that idea.

Alvarez looking for a guillotine here but Bates defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bates throws a big elbow that misses.
Alvarez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Alvarez has his foot on Bates's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bates works his way back into a safe position though.
Alvarez wants to get back to his feet but Bates is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Alvarez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bates doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bates manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bates trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bates throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darwingh Alvarez dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bates clinches up with Alvarez and pushes him back against the cage.
Bates jumps guard but Alvarez stands there with Bates around his waist. Bates gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Alvarez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Alvarez breaks the clinch.
Simon Bates seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alvarez swats away the attempt to clinch by Bates.

Alvarez has Bates up against the cage in a clinch.
Bates wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bates wants to break free but Alvarez has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez prevents Bates from breaking the clinch.
Alvarez is trying to pull guard but Bates has him pressed against the cage.
Bates tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Alvarez smiles and moves away.
Bates ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bates misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Bates. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alvarez closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Alvarez wants to control but Bates is keeping him busy.

Bates looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Alvarez escapes and gets back to his feet.
Simon Bates is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A combination from Bates does no damage.
Bates throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Alvarez fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez gets a clinch.
Bates has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Alvarez avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Alvarez is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Bates can't fight it off and eventually Alvarez manages to take the fight to the floor. Bates looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Bates keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.
Alvarez connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez advances position into side control!

Alvarez is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bates is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Alvarez decides to stand back up.
Bates swinging wildly here.
A punch combination from Alvarez misses.
Bates keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bates is looking for a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bates's guard.
Alvarez postures up and lands a big shot to Bates's brow.
Alvarez is stalling in the full guard.

Bates escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Alvarez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Alvarez gets to his feet. Bates looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darwingh Alvarez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Bates missing with a left hand there. Alvarez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bates tries to close the distance and clinch but Alvarez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bates fails in his attempt to clinch.

Alvarez has Bates up against the cage in a clinch.
Alvarez keeps control of Bates as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bates prevents a body shot from Alvarez.

Alvarez gets control of Bates's arms and successfully pulls guard. Alvarez will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Alvarez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bates working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Alvarez stands up from Bates's guard - Alvarez perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Bates tries to keep at a distance but Alvarez has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bates tries to score a body lock takedown but Alvarez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Alvarez gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Bates regains guard.
Alvarez landing with the ground and pound.
Alvarez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Alvarez drops back looking for a leg! Bates is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bates manages to kick Alvarez off! Alvarez jumps back into Bates's guard.
Alvarez wants to stand but Bates has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Alvarez looking to pass the guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez gets a double leg takedown into Bates's guard.

Alvarez gets to his feet. Bates looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Bates misses with a head kick.

Bates gets caught napping as Alvarez dives in and scores a takedown. Bates manages to retain guard.

Bates has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Alvarez is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Bates.
Alvarez trying to control the action but Bates is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Bates has escaped the position, nice work there.

Alvarez stands up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Alvarez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Simon Bates has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Alvarez darts in and clinches Bates up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darwingh Alvarez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Alvarez 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darwingh Alvarez!