PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between George North (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mario Bates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

North
vs
Bates

180 cm
21
157 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

175 cm
21
150 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Very quick

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, George North!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Mario Bates!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Sergei Dronov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Bates with that takedown attempt.
Bates throws a jab when North was well out of range.
Bates throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck North on the side of the head.
Bates throws a hook but North blocks it.
North looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
A telegraphed right hand from Bates misses the target.
Bates has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by North.
Bates throws a lazy right hand but North sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bates fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Bates moves away from the strike by North.
A big left from Bates misses.
North fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bates has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bates moves into the clinch.
Bates lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bates tried to land a shot to the body but connects with North's elbow.
North lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

North pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bates fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
North tries to land a leg kick but Bates saw it coming and moves away.
Bates throws out a counter right but North avoids it with no problem.
North throws a head kick that half lands.
Bates thuds his right hand into North's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
North gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bates's coach down at R.A.D's Lads was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Bates's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
North throws a leg kick but Bates checks it.
North lands a nice looking body kick.
North fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bates.
A leg kick checked by Bates.
North throws a hook but Bates blocks it.
Bates changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Bates throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bates misses with a looping right.

Bates fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with North, pushing him back against the ropes.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Bates takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
North lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
North's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

North breaks the clinch.
A head kick misses from North.
George North is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
North feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bates's calf.
Nice straight punches there by Bates. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bates.
Nice takedown defense from North. No joy for Bates on that attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bates.
George North has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mario Bates.
Bates checks a leg kick.
North thows a left - swing and a miss!
North throws a leg kick but Bates checks it.
North throws a leg kick but Bates sees it coming and moves out of range.
North misses with a looping right.
North ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bates moves away.
Bates bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
North blocks a jab.
North connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bates dives in and scores a takedown into North's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Bates wants to control from the top but North keeps moving.
North tries to land a sweep but no joy.
North is pulling down on Bates's head to control his posture.
Bates trying to control but North is working from the bottom.

Bates thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bates won't allow North to get back to his feet.
Bates trying to control the position from guard on top but North is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice defenses there by North.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
North on the wrong end of a nice hook.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bates.
North looks for the body kick but Bates saw that one coming.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bates checks a leg kick.

Bates moves into the clinch.
Bates has a couple of punches blocked by North.
North wants to break the clinch but can't.
The referee calls for Bates to work.

Bates has dropped down and is working for a takedown. North is trying to keep an underhook but Bates manages to get the takedown into half guard.
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!

Bates seems to be looking for submissions.
North tries to get to full guard but Bates has control of the leg.
Bates trying to control from half guard but North is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Bates dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bates takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A cross from Bates lands.
Bates misses with a takedown
and North counters with a straight right hand.
North wants to slow Bates down by chopping away at his legs.
A little jabbing left from Bates on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nice defenses there by North.
North thows a body kick. Bates tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Bates waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract North.
North throws a leg kick but Bates sees it coming and checks it nicely.
No luck for Bates with that takedown attempt.
North appears to be looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
North shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Bates ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bates shoots in but no luck this time.
George North has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mario Bates.
Bates moves out of range of the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bates! But no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
North circles away from the clinch attempt.

Bates clinches up against the ropes.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Bates as North tries to tie him up.
North working hard to break the clinch.

North escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bates might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Bates tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
North moves out of range as Bates strikes.
North lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Bates looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
North appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Bates dives in and grabs North's left leg, looking for a takedown. North pushes down on Bates's head and hops out.
North takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A nice leg kick lands there from North.
Bates misses with a straight left.
Bates wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
North misses with a looping right.
Bates uses good head movement to avoid the hook from North.
North just misses with a punch to the body.
Bates looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bates connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
North finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bates has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by North.
Some bone on bone action there as Bates checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bates chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before North can pounce on him.
Bates throws a big shot that misses.
North throws a nice outside leg kick.
North staying out of range there.
North feinted there with a counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
North looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Bates loads up on a big right hand but North slips the punch.
North takes one on the chin but seems OK.
North throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Bates looks like he wants to counter punch here.
North throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
North lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bates's sensitive parts.
Bates goes for a double leg but North avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as North continues to drive forward.
Bates lands a jab to the head.
North gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bates.
A telegraphed right hand from Bates misses the target.
North ducks under a wild hook from Bates.
Bates throws out a loose jab but North uses good head movement to avoid it.
North moves out of range as Bates strikes.
Bates shoots for a takedown but North saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A good leg kick by North.
North misses with a head kick.
Bates looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bates checks a leg kick.
North thumps Bates with a low kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
North misses with a hook.
North tries to move into range but Bates moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Bates is looking to clinch.
North motions for Bates to come forward. North throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bates throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bates throws a hook but North blocks it.
North throws a front kick that sends Bates stumbling back into the ropes.
Bates shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as North sprawls well. North wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bates gets slowly back to his feet.
It looked like North wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Bates avoids a kick to the body.
Bates throws out a counter right but North avoids it with no problem.
North tries to score with a low kick but Bates moves his leg out of the way.
Bates jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George North dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bates checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
North tries to score with a low kick but Bates moves his leg out of the way.
Bates ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
North throws a leg kick but Bates checks it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bates.
Bates scores with a hook to the body. North takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bates on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by North. North obviously looking to wear him down.
Bates throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Some bone on bone action there as Bates checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
North tries to land a front kick but Bates steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
The fighters circling - Bates throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
North fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bates checks it well.
North throws a leg kick but Bates sees it coming and moves out of range.
Bates wants to counter the offense by North and move into the clinch position.
Bates misses the body punch
and North counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from North misses.
Bates catches North with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
North will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Bates scores with a jab to the jaw.
George North is winning the standup battle so far.
Bates on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
North slips a jab from Bates.
North feinted there with a counter leg kick.
North keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
North on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Bates scores with a jab to the jaw.
North throws a solid leg kick but Bates takes the impact on his shin and smiles at North.
A slow jab from Bates misses its intended target.
Bates lands with an uppercut that bounces North off the ropes and back into range.
North avoids the body shot from Bates.
North chopping away at his opponent's legs.
North motions for Bates to come forward. North throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bates throws a looping overhand right but North ducks down to avoid it.
North throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
North takes one on the button.
Bates's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
North throws a nice head kick!
Bates dives in and grabs North's left leg, looking for a takedown. North pushes down on Bates's head and hops out.
North is looking to score with low kicks.
North steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bates.
North stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and North wants it to stay on the feet.
George North has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mario Bates.
North throws a head kick that misses.
North tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bates tries to clinch up.
North fires out a quick counter leg kick but Bates just manages to avoid it.
North leaves Bates with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
North tried to counter with a leg kick but Bates avoided it.
North digs a good body shot into Bates's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
North misses with a low kick.
Bates appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Bates's jab looks to have found its range, popping North under the eye.
Bates tries to close the distance and clinch but North swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
North takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
North misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bates.
North avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
As Bates backs away, North returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
North scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
North connects with a crisp jab.
North connects with a solid leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Bates blocks the low kick.
Bates tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but North defends well and Bates ends up having to push North into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bates tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A big right from Bates misses.
Bates throws a shot from downtown. North moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bates. North does a little dance to reset his feet.
North's Muay Thai looks sharper than normal. He has obviously been working on it in the gym.
Bates avoids a punch combination nicely.
North throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Bates feints the counter takedown.

Bates darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
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!
North trying to control from the bottom.

Bates is looking for a kimura but North is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bates to get the leverage.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Bates wants to free his trapped foot but North is holding on for dear life with his legs.
North is trying to control but can't.

Bates wants to work for an arm triangle but North is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Bates stops North from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but George North did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bates is looking to clinch but North is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bates looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A solid leg kick lands there for North.
Nice straight punches there by Bates. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bates.
North misses with a low kick.
Bates scores with a jab. North acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bates has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from North.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bates checks a leg kick.
Bates now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
North looks for the body kick but Bates saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good work by Bates as he checks the leg kick.
Bates looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
North throws a sloppy head kick and Bates moves out of range easily.
North does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bates ducks down and throws a hook to the body but North moves away.
It looked like North wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
North connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between North's hands.
A swing and a miss from North.
North throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
North misses with a low kick.
Bates throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck North on the side of the head.
North misses with a head kick.
Bates scores with a shot to the body.
Bates shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bates moves out of range of the body kick.
A jab from Bates misses.
Bates walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
North looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bates chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before North can pounce on him.
Bates bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps North's head backwards.

Bates moves into the clinch successfully.
Bates tries to throw a body punch but North avoids it by throwing Bates back against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bates misses with a punch on the inside.

North manages to break the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
North feints and then cracks Bates's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bates down.
North is looking to slow Bates down with leg kicks.
Bates checks a low kick from North.
North looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nice shot by Bates.
North tests Bates's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Bates instigates a clinch.
North wants to get back to striking at distance but Bates won't allow it.
North is looking to break free of the clinch but Bates has double underhooks.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
North is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Bates scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
North lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
North swings wildly with an uppercut but Bates uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bates stalls.
North looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nice body punch from Bates - that landed with a thud.
North throws a punch but it's blocked by Bates.

North manages to break the clinch.
Bates tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
North scores with a leg kick.
North throws a leg kick which misses Bates's front leg but catches the back leg as Bates tries to avoid it.
Bates paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bates has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from North.
Bates waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract North.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bates tries to clinch but North moves out of range.
North misses with an uppercut. Bates saw that one coming.
North throws a head kick that Bates semi-blocks.
Nice sprawl there from North as Bates shoots in.
North throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Bates's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Bates instigates a clinch.
Bates tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Mario Bates seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
North is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
North blocking some punches.
Bates throws a punch but it's blocked by North.
Bates has North pressed against the ropes, preventing North from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

North's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bates lands a head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George North had his way with Mario Bates in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

North keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bates.
Bates checks a leg kick.
North walks into a stiff left hand from Bates.
A swing and a miss from Bates.
Bates misses with a straight right.
Bates throws a hook but North blocks it.
North turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bates misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bates misses with an uppercut
and North counters with a series of strikes. Bates will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bates swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bates tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bates blocks a head kick by North.
A little jabbing left from Bates on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
North misses with a wild body shot.
Bates pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Bates finds it's way through North's defenses.
Nice sprawl there from North as Bates shoots in.
Both fighters circling a little - North finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Bates ducks down and throws a hook to the body but North moves away.
North tries to land a leg kick but Bates saw it coming and moves away.
North misses with a body kick.
Bates takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Good leg kick by North there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Bates feints and as North raises his hands in defense, Bates changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mario Bates has got the better of the ground game so far.
North looking to control.

Bates drops back, looking for a kneebar! North looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. North looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from North!

North trying to control the position but Bates is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
North is really struggling to control Bates but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Bates is trying to improve his position.
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!
Bates struggling a bit here.
Bates is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Bates's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Bates manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
North holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Bates is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and North defends it well.
Bates is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for North!
North tries to lock up and control but Bates gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
North is squirming around, avoiding Bates's attempts to control the action.

Bates is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but North is surviving well by controlling Bates's body position as best he can.
George North is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
North tries to hold on but Bates postures up.
North is looking to get to half guard.

Bates is working for a guillotine from mount but North frees his head quite easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bates is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but North is surviving well by controlling Bates's body position as best he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Bates comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think North has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 47:48
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 48:48
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 48:47

The fight is ruled a draw!