PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Curtis Tate Iii (ranked 4831 p4p, 10987 weight class) and Sota Sankari (ranked 73 p4p, 114 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.

Tate Iii
vs
Sankari

185 cm
18
215
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
51
260
14 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Curtis Tate Iii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sota Sankari!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tate Iii wants to clinch but Sankari slips to the side
and Sankari counters with a two punch combo.
Tate Iii shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sankari as he jumps to the side.
Sankari fails with a takedown attempt.
Sankari stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sankari wants it to stay on the feet.
Sankari will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tate Iii definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Tate Iii tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sankari sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tate Iii somewhat.
Sankari flicks out a counter leg kick but Tate Iii steps away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curtis Tate Iii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tate Iii shoots for a double leg takedown but Sankari sprawls well. He's pushed Tate Iii's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sankari throws a sloppy head kick and Tate Iii moves out of range easily.

Sankari gets tackled into the cage by Tate Iii. Tate Iii maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate Iii gets through Sankari's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tate Iii keeps control of Sankari as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sankari just leaning against Tate Iii, taking a breather.
Tate Iii prevents a takedown attempt there.
Sankari looks winded!
Tate Iii gets underhooks to prevent Sankari's takedown attempt.
Tate Iii has Sankari pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sankari manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Tate Iii tries to pull guard but Sankari holds him up against the cage and eventually Tate Iii drops back down to his feet.
The referee calls for Tate Iii to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sankari is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tate Iii is defending well for now.
Sankari is looking to take this one to the mat.
Tate Iii tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sankari just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tate Iii fails to pull guard.
Sankari gets underhooks to prevent Tate Iii's takedown attempt.

Tate Iii pulls guard effortlessly.

Tate Iii is looking for a triangle but Sankari pushes his legs off easily.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Tate Iii holds on and takes a little breather.
Sankari stopping the sweep attempt from Tate Iii.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tate Iii has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sankari can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tate Iii tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sankari being controlled here momentarily.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Tate Iii doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

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

Sankari gets tackled into the cage by Tate Iii. Tate Iii maintains the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Sankari tightens his grip and picks Tate Iii up, before dumping him to the ground. Tate Iii manages to land in guard.

Tate Iii pushes Sankari off and scrambles back to his feet.

Tate Iii closes the distance and clinches.
Tate Iii wants to break free but Sankari has control.
Tate Iii is trying to push Sankari away but Sankari has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sankari struggles to land a body shot inside as Tate Iii controls his hands.
Tate Iii is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sankari gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tate Iii lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Sankari is trying to break the clinch but Tate Iii is controlling him.
Tate Iii is trying to push Sankari away but Sankari has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Curtis Tate Iii dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tate Iii shoots in for a takedown but Sankari shows good takedown defense.

Tate Iii moves into the clinch successfully.
Tate Iii is looking for a takedown.
Sankari blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sankari looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Sankari tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Sankari's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sankari shoots in looking for a takedown but Tate Iii manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sankari's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Curtis Tate Iii is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sankari misses with a kick to the body
and Tate Iii counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sankari has a takedown stuffed.
Curtis Tate Iii has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sota Sankari.
Sankari is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tate Iii misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Tate Iii has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tate Iii wants a takedown.
Tate Iii tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sankari avoids it.
Sankari stalling in the clinch but Tate Iii improves position.
Sankari tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Tate Iii manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Tate Iii is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Tate Iii tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tate Iii wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tate Iii trying to control the position.
Sankari won't allow Tate Iii to sweep him here.
Tate Iii bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sankari's guard.

Tate Iii decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Sankari displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tate Iii.
Horrible takedown attempt by Tate Iii or perhaps it was just good defense by Sankari, which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sankari missing with a left hand there. Tate Iii was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tate Iii went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Sankari takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sankari misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tate Iii dives in and grabs Sankari's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sankari pushes down on Tate Iii's head and hops out.
Tate Iii tries for a takedown but Sankari sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sankari is defended easily by Tate Iii.
Tate Iii shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tate Iii uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sankari.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tate Iii wants to clinch up but Sankari keeps it at a distance.
Tate Iii misses with a takedown attempt - Sankari sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Tate Iii clinches up with Sankari and pushes him back against the cage.
Sankari is looking to take this one to the mat.

Tate Iii manages to break the clinch.
Tate Iii fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tate Iii fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sankari tries to clinch but Tate Iii moves away
and Tate Iii counters with a three punch combo that has Sankari backing up. Sankari nods at Tate Iii to acknowledge the strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Curtis Tate Iii dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Tate Iii is looking to clinch.
Sankari keeps the fight on the outside.
Sankari is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tate Iii sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tate Iii attempts a counter takedown but Sankari avoids it well and moves away.

Tate Iii rushes Sankari and presses him up against the cage.

Sankari manages to break the clinch.

Sankari gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tate Iii to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Tate Iii content to stall in guard here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tate Iii throwing strikes from guard but Sankari blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sankari keeping moving, preventing Tate Iii from controlling successfully.
Tate Iii wants to pass the guard but Sankari is keeping the position.
Tate Iii trying to control but Sankari is working from the bottom.

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 Iii chips away with some ground and pound.
Tate Iii throws a big right hand that misses.
Tate Iii missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Tate Iii tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tate Iii is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sankari can do to turn this around?

Tate Iii rushes Sankari and presses him up against the cage.
Tate Iii is pressed up against the cage. Sankari has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tate Iii down to the mat. Tate Iii avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Sankari tries to keep at a distance but Tate Iii has taken the fight into the clinch.

Tate Iii manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Tate Iii has Sankari pulled in close to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate Iii has a closed guard, preventing Sankari from standing up.
Tate Iii seems keen to control Sankari's posture.
Sota Sankari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tate Iii keeping moving, preventing Sankari from controlling successfully.
Sankari looking to pass the guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

That's four 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.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Tate Iii holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Tate Iii misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tate Iii dives in and grabs Sankari's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sankari pushes down on Tate Iii's head and hops out.

Tate Iii feints and as Sankari raises his hands in defense, Tate Iii changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tate Iii showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sankari can't keep his opponent in guard - Tate Iii advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Curtis Tate Iii showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tate Iii, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

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