PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mick Fanning (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Batista (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mick Fanning could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Dave Batista's chin.

Fanning
vs
Batista

225 cm
22
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
23
290 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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Hellbent, Inc. - $1000 Sponsorships

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mick Fanning!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dave Batista!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Summer Carpenter and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Batista shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Fanning defends it nicely.
Batista is looking to clinch but Fanning is avoiding it.
Batista tries to clinch up.
Batista misses with a jab, cross combination.
Batista shoots in for a double leg but Fanning sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Batista throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Batista throws a series of punches but Fanning avoids them all with ease.
Fanning defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Batista.
Mick Fanning has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Batista.

Batista closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Fanning is trying to improve his position.
Fanning is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Batista off and has taken his back!
Fanning misses with a punch to the head.
Batista trying to control the position but Fanning manages to sink in the hooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Fanning misses with a punch to the head.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Fanning's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Fanning avoiding Batista 's attempts to control his hands.
Fanning punches the canvas rather than the man.
Batista just trying to survive but Fanning is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Fanning somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
I really don't envy Batista right now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Batista is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Fanning misses with punches from the back.
Batista tries to roll but Fanning sticks to his back.
Batista covering up well under a series of strikes from Fanning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fanning trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Batista has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Fanning.
Batista tries to escape but Fanning has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Fanning missing with strikes.
Fanning has the hooks in. Batista is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Fanning throwing sloppy strikes.
Batista trying to control the position but Fanning manages to sink in the hooks.
You can see the frustration on Batista's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Batista looking very determined here, making life difficult for Fanning.
Fanning throwing sloppy strikes.
Fanning missing with strikes from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Batista is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Fanning gets his way!
Fanning keeps control of the position easily here as Batista tries to buck him off.
Fanning punches the canvas rather than the man.
Batista controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Fanning is trying to stick to Batista's back but Batista is turning into Fanning. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Fanning's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Batista.
Batista trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Batista misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fanning.
Fanning blocks the body kick.

Batista drives through with a takedown into guard.
Batista looks gassed!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fanning keeping moving, preventing Batista from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fanning is on top in guard.
Fanning sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Batista's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Batista can do anything to dispel that myth.
Batista trying to hold on to Fanning's head to control him but Fanning postures up.
Batista keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Fanning not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Batista strikes from the bottom but Fanning passes into mount!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Batista is trying desperately to improve position.
Fanning will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Fanning looking to ground and pound but Batista is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Batista dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Batista throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fanning tries for a takedown but Batista sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Batista has a takedown stuffed.
Fanning looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Batista looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dave Batista seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Batista throws a series of punches but Fanning moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batista looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Batista swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Batista swinging wilding here.
Batista is breathing heavily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Batista is defended easily by Fanning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fanning misses with a takedown attempt - Batista sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mick Fanning. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fanning displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Batista throws out the jab.
Fanning moves in looking to clinch but Batista pushes him off.
Fanning steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Batista.
Fanning moves out of range of the strikes.
Batista misses with a takedown

and Fanning counters by moving into the clinch.

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.

Fanning jumps into guard, dragging Batista to the mat.

Fanning looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fanning keeping full guard, as Batista tries to pass.
Batista lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fanning looking to control.
Batista connects with a couple of short punches.
Batista missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fanning is on top in guard.
Fanning trying to control the position from guard on top but Batista is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fanning prevents Batista from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fanning seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Batista wants to sweep here but Fanning controlling him for the moment.
Batista striking off his back but it's not causing Fanning any problems.
Batista throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Batista utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fanning throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Batista works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Batista throws a head kick that misses.
Batista misses with a body punch

and Fanning counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Fanning jumps guard but Batista stands there with Fanning around his waist. Fanning gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Fanning jumps guard but Batista stands there with Fanning around his waist. Fanning gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Fanning fails to pull guard.
Batista tries for a takedown. No joy.
Fanning has Batista pressed against the cage, preventing Batista from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Batista is pressed up against the cage. Fanning has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Batista down to the mat. Batista avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Batista swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Batista swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Batista showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Batista.
Batista throws a combination that misses
and Fanning counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Fanning lands with a shot to the body.
Batista throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fanning sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Batista misses with a kick to the body.
Batista displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fanning.

Batista gets a takedown into half guard.
Batista lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Fanning wants to control but Batista is keeping busy.
Batista takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fanning moves into full guard.
Batista must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Batista landing some decent shots from guard.
Batista is working Fanning over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Fanning tries to strike from the bottom.
Batista postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Fanning is trying to keep Batista in close.
Batista postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Batista keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fanning's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batista working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fanning manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Batista is trying desperately to improve position.
Batista swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Fanning sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Batista wants to control but Fanning is having none of it.
Fanning thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Dave Batista is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Batista swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batista is looking to get to half guard.
Batista avoids a series of strikes thrown by Fanning.
Batista can't escape the position.
Fanning throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Fanning misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Fanning looking to ground and pound but Batista is blocking nicely.
Batista throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Fanning misses with a head shot.
Batista is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Fanning looking to ground and pound but Batista is blocking nicely.
Fanning throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Batista because Fanning loaded up on that one.
Fanning looking to control but Batista is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

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.
Batista wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Fanning.
Mick Fanning has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Batista tries to reverse the position but Fanning maintains control.
Fanning landing strikes from the mount.
Batista really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fanning. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Batista throwing hammer fists to the chest of Fanning. What's that going to do exactly?

Fanning is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Batista is surviving well by controlling Fanning's body position as best he can.
Fanning punching from mount but Batista doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Batista avoids a series of strikes thrown by Fanning.
Batista wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Fanning.
Batista wants to control but Fanning is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dave Batista comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Batista winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dave Batista!