PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jon Bates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thanasis Konstantoulakis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Bates
vs
Konstantoulakis

218 cm
25
296 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

225 cm
18
300 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Jon Bates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Thanasis Konstantoulakis!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Andrew Berry and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bates throws a leg kick but Konstantoulakis moved away.
Konstantoulakis appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Konstantoulakis defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bates.
Bates fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Konstantoulakis throws the left hand but Bates avoids the punch easily.
Konstantoulakis looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
A looping hook to the body misses from Konstantoulakis. Bates does a little dance to reset his feet.
Konstantoulakis just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromBates.

Konstantoulakis tries to keep at a distance but Bates has taken the fight into the clinch.
Konstantoulakis tries to circle away but Bates has him pinned against the cage.
Bates misses with an elbow over the top.
Konstantoulakis working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Konstantoulakis lands with a light punch inside.

It looks like Jon Bates has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Konstantoulakis tries to circle away but Bates has him pinned against the cage.
Bates changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Konstantoulakis fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Bates. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bates motions for Konstantoulakis to come forward. Bates throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Bates closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Konstantoulakis tries a body shot but Bates blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Konstantoulakis wants to stall.
Bates tries to break free but Konstantoulakis pushes him back against the cage.
Konstantoulakis tries to break free but Bates pushes him back against the cage.
Konstantoulakis lands a shoulder strike.
Bates has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Konstantoulakis avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Konstantoulakis tries to throw a body punch but Bates avoids it by throwing Konstantoulakis back against the cage.
Konstantoulakis swings wildly with an uppercut but Bates uses good head movement to avoid it.
Konstantoulakis working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bates prevents Konstantoulakis from breaking the clinch.
Bates can't get the takedown.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bates blocking some punches.
Konstantoulakis wants to get back to striking at distance but Bates won't allow it.
Bates is trying to pull guard but Konstantoulakis turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Konstantoulakis wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Konstantoulakis is trying to maintain a safe position but Bates gets an underhook and turns Konstantoulakis into the cage.
Konstantoulakis doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Konstantoulakis digs a right hand into Bates's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Bates's gas tank.
Bates trying to land knees to the body.
Konstantoulakis doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Konstantoulakis misses with the head strike.
Bates is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Konstantoulakis has Bates pressed against the cage, preventing Bates from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Konstantoulakis doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Bates pulls guard.
Bates is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Bates throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bates prevents Konstantoulakis from standing back up.
Bates is controlling the pace.
Bates passes to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bates controlling the position.

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.

Bates is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Konstantoulakis knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Bates is trying to get an arm triangle but Konstantoulakis is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Konstantoulakis tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thanasis Konstantoulakis dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jon Bates's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Konstantoulakis lands a big uppercut and Bates crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Bates looks OK. Konstantoulakis waves Bates back to his feet!

Bates scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Konstantoulakis is looking to get back to his feet here but Bates is keeping cool and he's managed to take Konstantoulakis's back.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

Konstantoulakis is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates lands a shot to the head.

Bates has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Bates working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Konstantoulakis is doing well to defend. Bates seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Konstantoulakis is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jon Bates!
Jon Bates was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.