PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Canaan Gates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Conforti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gates comes to the cage accompanied by the one . Michael Conforti will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Gates
vs
Conforti

210 cm
22
280 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
240 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Canaan Gates!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Conforti!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Phil Schofield and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gates throws a hook but Conforti blocks it.
Conforti looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Gates closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Conforti to the mat! Conforti manages to get full guard.
Gates showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gates trying to control the position from guard on top but Conforti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gates wants to pass the guard but Conforti is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Conforti preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gates engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Gates slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Conforti is not content to let Gates control the position.
Gates sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Gates is keen to just control but Conforti is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Conforti is defending against the submission attempts here by Gates.
Gates passes to full mount!
Gates working the ground and pound effectively.
Gates controlling the position easily from mount.
Conforti is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Gates has taken his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gates trying to control.

Gates is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Conforti knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Conforti for a finish.

Conforti fending off the submission attempt from Gates.

Gates is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Conforti knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Conforti for a finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gates lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.

Gates working for a choke but Conforti is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Gates has managed to slip his arm under Conforti's chin. This could be all over... yep, Conforti is tapping out! Submission win for Gates.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Canaan Gates!
Canaan Gates is the new heavyweight champion!
Post fight, an emotional Canaan Gates said 'thru god all things are possible .'.