PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chris Bates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Van De Velde (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bates kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Kansas-Dust In The Wind. Chris Bates could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Robert Van De Velde's chin.

Bates
vs
Van De Velde

188 cm
23
221 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

225 cm
25
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Sparta Fightware

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Chris Bates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Robert Van De Velde!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Dean Styles and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van De Velde tries to clinch but Bates moves away
and Bates counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bates circles away from the clinch attempt

and Bates counters with a shoot takedown. Van De Velde fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bates gets to his feet - Van De Velde follows without any prompting.
Van De Velde tries to clinch up

and Bates counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Bates stands up and waves to Van De Velde to follow him.

Bates fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Van De Velde to the ground. Bates is now in Van De Velde's guard.

Bates stands up from Van De Velde's guard - Bates perhaps looking for a knockout.
A head kick by Van De Velde misses

and Bates counters with a shoot takedown. Van De Velde fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates won't allow Van De Velde to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bates decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Van De Velde, up you get!

Bates scores with a takedown into Van De Velde's guard.

Bates gets to his feet - Van De Velde follows without any prompting.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bates.

Bates decides to stand back up. Bates steps back and let's Van De Velde get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Bates 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.
Van De Velde is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bates is controlling him.
Van De Velde looks winded!

Bates stands up and waves to Van De Velde to follow him.

Van De Velde tries to sprawl but Bates drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bates decides to stand and escape the position.

Bates throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Van De Velde tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Bates is in Van De Velde's guard.

Bates stands and steps away. Van De Velde gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Bates closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Van De Velde did well to prevent Bates getting side control.

Bates gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Van De Velde swinging wildly here.
Van De Velde misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bates shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bates was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Van De Velde is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Bates stands up.

Bates scores with a takedown into Van De Velde's guard.

Bates gets to his feet - Van De Velde follows without any prompting.
Van De Velde looks to clinch

and Bates counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Van De Velde!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bates stands up.
Robert Van De Velde seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bates closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bates lands in his opponent's guard.

Van De Velde is rocked!

Bates stands up from Van De Velde's guard - Bates perhaps looking for a knockout.
Van De Velde is still on wobbly legs! Can Bates finish him?

Bates lands a huge takedown. Van De Velde is out but the ref is slow to react and Bates lands 3 more undefended punches before the fight is stopped. Brutal finish. Van De Velde lies on the canvas for a good minute before the doctors bring him round. Good to see he's OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Chris Bates!
During a confident post fight interview, Chris Bates thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.