PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Neal Mccall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mason Gates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mccall
vs
Gates

225 cm
24
215 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

182 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Neal Mccall!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mason Gates!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Chris Edwards and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gates misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Gates shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Mccall napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Mccall sneaks out the side door and pushes Gates away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Gates drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Gates is standing up over Mccall. Mccall looks to escape but Gates dives into side control.
You can see the frustration on Mccall's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mccall tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mccall tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gates throwing strikes here but Mccall is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Gates looking to ground and pound but Mccall is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mccall is trying desperately to improve position.
Poor strikes thrown by Gates there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Gates trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gates controlling from mount.
Mccall is working to get back to half guard.
Mccall tries to control the position but Gates now has his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Gates is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Mccall is defending well though. Gates let's go of the attempt for now.
Gates tries to keep control of the position but Mccall is staying busy.
Mccall trying to control the hands but Gates won't let him.
Mccall manages to escape to a better position under a series of strikes. Gates is now in side control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Gates shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mccall manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Gates must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mccall tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gates postures up.
Mccall is looking to stand up but Gates isn't so interested in that idea.
Mccall keeping moving, preventing Gates from controlling successfully.
Gates prevents Mccall from getting back to his feet.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

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.
Mccall avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Gates shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Mccall is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Mccall kicks Gates off and gets to his feet.
Gates swats away the attempt to clinch by Mccall.

Mccall fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gates, pushing him back against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Gates gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Mccall regains guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mason Gates dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gates gets a double leg takedown into Mccall's guard.
Gates trying to control the position from guard on top but Mccall is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gates throws an elbow that misses. Mccall uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gates's guard. Nice move by Mccall!
Mccall wants to stand but Gates has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Gates wants to sweep here but Mccall controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mason Gates has got the better of the ground game so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mccall trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gates's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Gates working a defensive guard but Mccall manages to pass into side control anyway.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mccall moves in looking to clinch but Gates pushes him off.
Mccall sets himself, and Gates steps forward looking for the clinch! Mccall avoids it this time.

Gates shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mccall manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Mccall looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gates is one step ahead there.
Mccall is looking to stand back up but Gates counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Mccall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gates prevents Mccall from standing back up.
Gates content to control rather than advance.
Gates thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mccall's head.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Mccall looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gates throws a combination that misses

and Mccall counters by clinching up.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Mccall.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Gates takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Mccall leaning his opponent against the cage.
Gates being controlled against the cage.
Gates has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Gates lands a takedown into guard.

Mccall manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Mccall stalling the fight.

Gates drags the fight down to the ground.
Mccall's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Gates looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mccall passes into side control.
Mccall tries to stand but Gates is controlling his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mason Gates showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Mccall wants to clinch up but Gates keeps it at a distance.

Gates takes the fight into the clinch.

Gates works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Mccall is looking to stand back up but Gates counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Mccall.
Gates trying to control from half guard but Mccall is working away.
Mccall is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mccall keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gates trying to pass the guard but Mccall defending well.
Mccall scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Gates manages to mount him!
Mccall tries to hold on but Gates pushes him away.
Gates looking to control but Mccall is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Gates looking to ground and pound but Mccall is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mccall is in all sorts of trouble here.
Gates tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Gates looking to control but Mccall is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Mccall really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Gates works his way to his opponent's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gates thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Good control from Gates.
Mccall is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Gates is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Mccall is trying to stand back up.

Mccall is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Gates off. It looks like it's working - Gates slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Mccall displaying calm under pressure there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mccall showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gates.

Gates fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Mccall to the ground. Gates is now in Mccall's guard.

Mccall has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Gates off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Gates has closed the distance and engaged Mccall in a clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mccall lands a right hand.
Neal Mccall has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mason Gates is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mccall misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gates.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mason Gates.
I've got Gates 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mason Gates!
Mason Gates thanked the fans post fight for their support.