PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Curtis Tate Jr (ranked 6425 p4p, 652 weight class) and Tommy Tate (ranked 24921 p4p, 766 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Tate Jr
vs
Tate

180 cm
25
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 1

180 cm
18
212 lbs
1 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Curtis Tate Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tommy Tate !
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tate Jr clinches up against the ropes.
Tate Jr tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tate smiles and moves away.

Tate Jr closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Tate to the mat! Tate manages to get full guard.
Tate Jr sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Tate can't keep his opponent in guard - Tate Jr advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tate is trying to get back to full guard.
Tate Jr wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Tate uses the opportunity to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate Jr trying to control but Tate is working from the bottom.
Tate Jr 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.
Tate Jr won't allow Tate to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tate Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Tate is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tate working a defensive guard here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tate Jr fails with a takedown attempt.
Tate tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tate Jr defends well and Tate ends up having to push Tate Jr into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Tate Jr appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Tate tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Tate Jr manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tate avoids the head kick by Tate Jr.
Despite the aggression on Tate 's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Tate shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tate Jr as he jumps to the side.
Tate Jr swats away the attempt to clinch by Tate .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate walks into a stiff left hand from Tate Jr.

It looks like Tommy Tate has been cut.
Tate Jr throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tate 's waist but Tate gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tate Jr off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curtis Tate Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tate fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tate darts in looking for a takedown but Tate Jr gets double underhooks and turns Tate into the ropes.
Tate Jr swats away the attempt to clinch by Tate .
Tate Jr tries to counter with a takedown but Tate is quick to defend against it.
Tate stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tate wants it to stay on the feet.

Tate Jr gets a clinch.
Tate Jr is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tate Jr keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tate 's efforts to push away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tate Jr drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tate gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Tate is trying to force a seperation but Tate Jr has the dominant position.
Tate Jr tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tate just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Tate prevents the takedown attempt.

Tate Jr breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Tate gets a takedown into half guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tate Jr has one foot on Tate 's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Curtis Tate Jr dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tommy Tate 's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tate Jr shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Tate eats them both and turns towards Tate Jr to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Tate goes for a double leg but Tate Jr avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Tate Jr continues to drive forward.
Tate Jr tries to counter by clinching up but Tate breaks away and moves out of range.
Tate Jr shoots for a takedown but Tate saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tate doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Tate Jr fails with a takedown attempt.
Tate Jr shoots in looking for a takedown but Tate manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tate Jr's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curtis Tate Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tate Jr wants to clinch
and Tate counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tate ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tate Jr looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Tate Jr shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tate but Tate pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tate shapes to counter with a head kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tate throws a front kick aimed at Tate Jr's knee but Tate Jr avoids it well.
As Tate tries to get set, Tate Jr tries to push him back and clinch up but Tate manages to avoid the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate misses with a low kick.
Tate Jr is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tate Jr. Tate does a little dance to reset his feet.

Tate Jr closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Tate Jr is trying to pull guard but Tate turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
Tate looking for a takedown.

Tate has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Tate Jr uses from the top position.
Tate Jr could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Tate Jr wants to pass the guard but Tate is keeping the position.
Tate Jr is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tate looking for a sweep. Not yet Tate , not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tate avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tate can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tate Jr controls the pace.

Tate Jr gets to his feet - Tate follows without any prompting.

Tate Jr forces Tate back against the ropes and clinches.
Tate can't get the takedown.
Tate Jr is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Tate tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tate Jr escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tate Jr avoids the head kick by Tate .
Tate Jr throws a big counter combination but Tate scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Tate takes a kick to the side of the head.
Tate Jr tries to close the distance and clinch but Tate swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tate is looking for the big counter here.

Tate Jr pushes Tate up against the ropes in a clinch.
Tate tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tate Jr smiles and moves away.
No joy there for Tate Jr, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tate is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Tate Jr.
Tate Jr shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tate pinned against the ropes. Tate gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tate Jr tries to clinch but Tate moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tate takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Tate Jr instigates a clinch.
Tate tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tate Jr smiles and moves away.

Tate Jr clinches with his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tate Jr lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tate backwards.
Tate Jr is trying to pull guard but Tate has him pressed against the ropes.

Tate Jr breaks from the clinch.

Tate Jr clinches.
Tate is trying to pull guard but Tate Jr turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Curtis Tate Jr dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tommy Tate 's cut.
That's time! Tate Jr's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Tate throws a body kick that misses.
Tate Jr takes a swing at Tate 's ribcage but misses.
Tate Jr stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tate Jr wants it to stay on the feet.

Tate gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Tate Jr stopping the sweep attempt from Tate .
Tate wants to stand but Tate Jr is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tate Jr wants to pass the guard but Tate is keeping the position.
Tate Jr trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tate 's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate Jr throws a big right hand that misses.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Tate Jr pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tate is keeping the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Horrible takedown attempt by Tate Jr or perhaps it was just good defense by Tate , which made it look bad.

Tate closes the distance and clinches.

Tate Jr has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Tate clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Tate Jr controlling well, preventing Tate from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tate keeps trying to improve his position.

Tate is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Tate Jr trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Tate is really stuck here.
Tate prevents Tate Jr from getting a body triangle.

Tate Jr is persistently looking for the submission but Tate is defending it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate can't escape the position.
Tate is keeping busy.
Tate tries to escape but Tate Jr has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Tate Jr trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Tate Jr is looking for a choke. Tate gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Tate manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tate Jr is controlling Tate 's posture.
Tate won't allow Tate Jr to sweep him here.
Tate Jr looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tate Jr is really struggling to control Tate but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Tommy Tate has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Curtis Tate Jr is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tate with a flurry of punches that miss.

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 Curtis Tate Jr.
Well Tate Jr has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Curtis Tate Jr!