PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pavel Batanke (ranked 4434 p4p, 4181 weight class) and Lamont Pitts (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.

Batanke
vs
Pitts

176 cm
24
167
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
21
130
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Pavel Batanke!
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, Lamont Pitts!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Batanke finds it's way through Pitts's defenses.
Batanke misses with a double jab.
Batanke swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Pitts counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Pitts.
A frustrated look appears on Batanke's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Pitts is looking to control Batanke's arms but Batanke gets an underhook and turns him. Now Pitts has his back to the cage.
Pitts wants a takedown.
Pitts tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Batanke just stands there and leans against the cage.

Batanke breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Batanke keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Pavel Batanke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lamont Pitts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batanke shoots in looking for a takedown but Pitts manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Batanke's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Pitts is looking to clinch but Batanke is avoiding it.
Batanke will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pitts fails with a takedown attempt.
Pavel Batanke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pitts misses with a takedown attempt
and Pitts takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pitts with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Batanke to score with a decent uppercut.
Batanke darts in looking for a takedown but Pitts gets double underhooks and turns Batanke into the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Pitts.
Pitts trying to control the position but instead, Batanke has worked for underhooks and has pushed Pitts into the cage.
Batanke working hard to break the clinch.
Batanke is pressed up against the cage. Pitts has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Batanke down to the mat. Batanke avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nice uppercut lands for Batanke. That snapped Pitts's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batanke bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Pitts's head backwards.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pitts.
Batanke is looking to counter punch.
Batanke fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Good shot there by Batanke.
Batanke takes a swing at Pitts's ribcage but misses.
Pitts takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Batanke lands the left hand.
Pitts takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Batanke is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Batanke slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Pitts dives in and grabs Batanke's left leg, looking for a takedown. Batanke pushes down on Pitts's head and hops out.
Batanke bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Pitts's head.
Pitts takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Pitts is rocked!
The fighters circling - Batanke throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Batanke connects with a nice looking jab.
Pitts is still on wobbly legs! Can Batanke finish him?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batanke swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pitts seems to have recovered his senses.
Pitts keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Pitts lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Batanke scores with a jab.
Pitts displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Batanke.
Pitts takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Batanke thuds his right hand into Pitts's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Pitts avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Batanke lands the left hand.
Batanke dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Batanke. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Batanke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Batanke.
Batanke swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
It seemed like Pitts was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Batanke displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pitts.
Batanke lands the left hand.
Batanke shoots for a takedown but Pitts saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pitts with a poor takedown
and Batanke counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Batanke is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Pitts walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Batanke throws a body shot but no joy.
Batanke is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
A leg kick checked by Pitts.
Batanke throws a series of strikes that have Pitts backpedaling.
Pitts goes for a double leg but Batanke avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Batanke continues to drive forward.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pitts moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Batanke circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pitts should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Batanke darts in and clinches Pitts up against the cage.
Batanke looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Pitts breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pitts moves in looking to clinch but Batanke pushes him off.

Batanke feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Batanke decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Pitts stuffs the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A combination from Pitts does no damage.
Batanke was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Good exchange - Batanke coming out on top.
Horrible takedown attempt by Pitts or perhaps it was just good defense by Batanke, which made it look bad.
Pitts turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batanke shoots in looking for a takedown. Pitts tries to sprawl out of it but Batanke keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Pitts manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pavel Batanke is winning the standup battle so far.
Batanke shoots in for a takedown but Pitts shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pavel Batanke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Batanke lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Pitts has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Pitts and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Pitts displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Batanke.
Pitts appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Batanke changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pitts tries to avoid it but Batanke manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pitts to the ground. Pitts escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pitts lands a lovely overhand right.
Pitts takes one on the button.

Batanke gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Pitts wants a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pitts tries to pull guard but Batanke forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Pitts is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Batanke is defending well.

Batanke manages to break the clinch.
Batanke is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pitts can do to turn this around?
Batanke darts in looking for a takedown but Pitts gets double underhooks and turns Batanke into the cage.
Pitts tries to counter by closing the distance.
Batanke prevents a takedown attempt there.
Pitts has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Pitts tries to pull guard but Batanke forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Pitts is breathing heavily.
Pitts taking a breather.
Pitts goes for a takedown in the clinch but Batanke prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pitts is working for takedown but Batanke is calmly controlling the position for now.

Batanke breaks from the clinch.
Batanke moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Batanke is defended easily by Pitts.
Pitts wants to counter the offense by Batanke and move into the clinch position.
Pitts shoots for a double leg takedown but Batanke sprawls well. He's pushed Pitts's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Batanke swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Pitts takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Pitts is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nice shot by Batanke.
Pitts tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Batanke swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Batanke or perhaps it was just good defense by Pitts, which made it look bad.
Batanke scores with a hook to the body. Pitts takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Batanke feints and as Pitts raises his hands in defense, Batanke changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Batanke would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Pitts is trying to control the position but Batanke postures up.
Batanke throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Batanke stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Batanke lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Pitts takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Batanke goes for a double leg but Pitts avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Pitts continues to drive forward.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Batanke dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Batanke lands a nice shot that snaps Pitts's head back.
Batanke lands with a nice combination. Pitts backs away looking to recover.
Pitts fails with an attempt to clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Batanke misses the target.
Pitts fails with a takedown attempt.
Pitts steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Batanke.
Pitts moves forwards but Batanke connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Batanke lands a lovely overhand right.
Pitts showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Batanke.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batanke misses with a looping right.
Batanke keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Batanke shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Pitts sprawls well. Pitts wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Batanke gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pitts fails with an attempt to clinch.
Batanke is looking to counter punch.
Pitts throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nice straight punches there by Batanke. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Batanke.
Pitts is looking to clinch but Batanke is avoiding it.
Batanke is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Batanke shoots in but no luck this time.
Batanke connects with a right hand. Pitts shakes it off.
A punch lands to the side of Pitts 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Batanke wants to clinch up but Pitts keeps it at a distance.
Pitts tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Batanke paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Batanke showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pitts.
Batanke lands a nice shot to the body.
Pavel Batanke is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Pitts is trying desperately to land a takedown but Batanke is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Pitts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pitts tries to close the distance and clinch up but Batanke swats him away and circles back towards the center.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pitts.
Pavel Batanke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lamont Pitts.
Pitts takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Batanke throws a front kick aimed at Pitts's knee but Pitts avoids it well.
Pitts is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Batanke takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Pitts dives in for a single leg takedown but Batanke sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Batanke swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Batanke lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Good standup being displayed there by Batanke as he connects with a hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pitts looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Batanke looks to land a combination but Pitts avoids it well.
Batanke smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pitts checks a low kick from Batanke.
Good exchange - Batanke coming out on top.
A big right from Batanke misses.
Pitts looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Pitts blocks a head kick by Batanke.
Batanke sets himself, and Pitts steps forward looking for the clinch! Batanke avoids it this time.
Batanke dives in and grabs Pitts's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pitts pushes down on Batanke's head and hops out.
Batanke leaves Pitts with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Pitts throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Batanke's waist but Batanke gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pitts off to one side.
Batanke connects with a good right hand that stumbles Pitts. Pitts circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A looping hook to the body misses from Batanke. Pitts does a little dance to reset his feet.
Despite the aggression on Pitts's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Batanke shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pitts defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pitts goes for a double leg but Batanke avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Batanke continues to drive forward.
Batanke connects with a looping right hand.
Batanke scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Pitts tries to score a power double leg takedown but Batanke sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pitts somewhat.
Batanke cracks Pitts with an open hand slap.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pitts takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Batanke connects with a body shot.
Batanke goes for a double leg but Pitts avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Pitts continues to drive forward.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pavel Batanke showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Batanke 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Pavel Batanke!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Pavel Batanke!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Pavel Batanke!

Pavel Batanke wins by unanimous decision!