PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Leo Armando (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JB Bates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). JB Bates is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Armando
vs
Bates

165 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
130 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Leo Armando!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, JB Bates!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Armando.

Bates forces Armando back against the cage and clinches.
Armando drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bates pulls his leg out and moves away.
Bates's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Armando connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bates scrambles back to his feet.
Armando throws a head kick but Bates moves out of range.

Bates shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Armando wants to sweep but no luck.
Armando trying to keep a closed guard but Bates is proving a slippery customer.
Bates looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Bates works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Armando looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bates connects with a nice short shot to Armando's temple.

Armando manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Bates keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Bates gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Bates is taking a breather. Armando says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Bates not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bates is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Armando is trying to maintain the position but Bates is very close to passing his half guard.
Bates sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

JB Bates has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Armando throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bates shoots in and drives through. Armando sprawls well.
JB Bates seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Armando shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bates but Bates pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Armando is breathing heavily.

Bates closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Armando quickly recovers to half guard.

Bates is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Still in half guard, Bates seems content to control.
Bates prevents Armando from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bates lands with a punch from half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bates in particular looking to stall.
It looks like Bates might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. JB Bates was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Armando throws a head kick that misses

and Bates counters by clinching up.
Armando is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bates is keeping busy.
Armando tries to pull guard but Bates holds him up against the cage and eventually Armando drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leo Armando. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bates breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bates throws a body kick that misses.

Bates drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bates slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Armando controls Bates momentarily but Bates frees himself.
Bates passes Armando's left leg - he's now in half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ground and pound from Bates.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Armando is defending against the submission attempts here by Bates.
Armando is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JB Bates dominated that round.
That's time! Armando's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bates darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Bates lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Bates is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bates is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Bates has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bates is looking to take a break and control but Armando is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Armando wants to get back to full guard.
Armando tries to kick Bates off in order to stand up. Bates Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Armando manages to work his way to half guard, despite Bates's best efforts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bates is looking to advance position but Armando won't allow it.
JB Bates has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bates keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Bates stands up and beckons Armando to join him on the feet.
Armando shoots in for a takedown but Bates shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Bates shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Armando manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Bates landing with the ground and pound.

Bates gets to his feet. Armando looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bates rushes Armando and presses him up against the cage.
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!
Armando is trying to maintain a safe position but Bates gets an underhook and turns Armando into the cage.
Armando is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bates to keep the fight standing.

Bates tightens his grip and picks Armando up, before dumping him to the ground. Armando manages to land in guard.
Bates 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.
Bates is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Bates is pushing down on Armando's leg trying to pass to half guard. Armando is fighting to maintain full guard but Bates has managed to sneak the leg through.
Bates has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Armando is bucking up trying to escape but Bates cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bates wants to finish this one by submission but Armando is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Bates.

Bates swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). JB Bates!