PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between James Bates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Guillermo Pecilli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bates comes into the arena with Gentleman blaring out of the sound system. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bates
vs
Pecilli

172 cm
25
146 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

165 cm
25
141 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Hellraiser FightGear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, James Bates!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Guillermo Pecilli!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Winston Alpacca and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pecilli misses with a right hand
and Bates counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

It looks like Guillermo Pecilli has been cut.
Bates lands with a cross.
Bates ducks under a wild hook from Pecilli.
Bates looks to throw the jab but Pecilli is out of range.
Pecilli looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Pecilli staying out of range there.
A slow jab from Bates misses its intended target.
Pecilli slips a jab and a cross from Bates.
Pecilli wants to counter with a clinch but Bates pushes him away.
Bates scores with a hook.
Pecilli misses with a body shot.
Bates throws an overhand right that lands on Pecilli's shoulder, as Pecilli tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pecilli connects with a jab.
Bates throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pecilli misses with an uppercut
and Bates counters with a lovely shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pecilli moves out of range of the strikes.
Pecilli throws a body punch but Bates moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates thuds a left hand into Pecilli's body.
Bates misses the jab.
Pecilli misses the body punch
and Bates counters with a nice body shot.
Nice defenses there by Pecilli.
Pecilli fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bates throws a body shot but no joy.
A jab from Pecilli misses.
Bates pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Pecilli back to the cage. Bates follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Bates gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Pecilli throws an off balance right hand
and Bates counters with a stiff right hand.
Pecilli takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Pecilli has closed the distance and engaged Bates in a clinch.
Pecilli lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bates backwards.
Bates just leaning against Pecilli, taking a breather.
Pecilli can't find room to land a body shot as Bates controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bates misses with a punch to the body.
Pecilli is working Bates over against the cage.
Pecilli has Bates pushed against the cage.
Pecilli stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Bates tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pecilli's elbow.
Pecilli lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bates backwards.
Pecilli misses with a body punch.
Pecilli misses with a punch on the inside.
Pecilli stalling.

Bates pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pecilli closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Bates is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.

Pecilli gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Pecilli tries a body shot but Bates blocks it.
Pecilli throws a head punch that misses.
Pecilli presses Bates against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Pecilli lands with a left to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pecilli tries to work over Bates's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Pecilli tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pecilli misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bates misses with the head strike.
Bates pushes Pecilli back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pecilli misses with a body punch.
Pecilli tries to throw a body punch but Bates avoids it by throwing Pecilli back against the cage.
Pecilli misses with a punch on the inside.
Pecilli misses with a body punch.
Pecilli lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bates backwards.
Pecilli working aggressively here.
Bates tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bates is trying to push Pecilli away but Pecilli has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Pecilli lands an elbow inside.
A body shot lands from Bates.
A body shot lands from Pecilli.
Pecilli tries a body shot but Bates blocks it.
Bates throws a punch but it's blocked by Pecilli.
Stalling in the clinch from Pecilli.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pecilli lands a hook that snaps the head of Bates backwards.
Pecilli fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pecilli struggles to land a body shot inside as Bates controls his hands.
Bates tries a body shot but Pecilli blocks it.
Pecilli keeps control of Bates as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Bates escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bates lands a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pecilli throws the left hand but Bates avoids the punch easily.
Pecilli throws a hook but Bates blocks it.
Bates lands a nice shot to the body.
Pecilli throws a sloppy body shot
and Bates counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bates's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Bates duly obliges.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pecilli scores with a hook to the body. Bates takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Pecilli fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bates jabs Pecilli to the body, keeping him at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Bates dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Guillermo Pecilli's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bates throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pecilli fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pecilli throws a body shot but no joy.
James Bates seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bates is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pecilli.
Pecilli tries to counter with a clinch but Bates shakes him off and moves away.
Bates looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A swing and a miss from Pecilli.
Pecilli throws a poor cross that misses
and Bates counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Bates cracks Pecilli with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Pecilli looks to clinch
and Bates counters with a stiff right hand.
Pecilli swings for the body but Bates moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pecilli moves away from the strike by Bates.
Pecilli swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bates ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pecilli moves away.
Pecilli misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Bates lands an impressive looking overhand right. Pecilli doesn't seem phased though.
Pecilli comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bates swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Pecilli.
Bates stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Bates loads up on a big right hand but Pecilli slips the punch.
Pecilli wants to counter the offense by Bates and move into the clinch position.
Pecilli fails in his attempt to clinch.
James Bates is winning the standup battle so far.

Pecilli clinches up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pecilli.
A bit of stalling here from Pecilli.
Bates lands a body shot.
Pecilli lands a nice shot to the body.
Pecilli lands with a right to the head.
Bates misses with a punch on the inside.
Bates tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pecilli's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Pecilli fails to land.
Pecilli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bates's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bates tries a body shot but Pecilli blocks it.
Bates blocks a body shot from Pecilli.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bates lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Pecilli or not.
Pecilli misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pecilli blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Pecilli misses with a shot to the kidneys.
With the fighters up against the cage, Pecilli throws an elbow but misses.
Pecilli tries to throw a body punch but Bates avoids it by throwing Pecilli back against the cage.
Bates can't find room to land a body shot as Pecilli controls the action.
Bates misses with a punch on the inside.
Pecilli tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pecilli tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bates is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pecilli can do to turn this around?
Bates lands a right hand that snaps the head of Pecilli backwards.
Bates stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Pecilli goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bates dodges an elbow strike from Pecilli.
Pecilli misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bates tries to throw a body punch but Pecilli avoids it by throwing Bates back against the cage.
Bates misses with a body punch.

Bates pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bates looks to land a left hand but Pecilli moved out of range nicely.
Pecilli takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Bates connects with a good right hand that stumbles Pecilli. Pecilli circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Pecilli takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Pecilli drives through and clinches with Bates against the cage.
Pecilli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bates's elbow.
Nice body punch from Pecilli.
Pecilli stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Bates avoids a wild elbow strike from Pecilli.
Pecilli digs a right hand underneath Bates's ribcage. Bates let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Pecilli misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Pecilli.
Bates is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pecilli misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bates misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bates misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Pecilli controlling the action here for a moment.
Bates misses with the head strike.
Pecilli misses with some punches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bates throws a head punch that misses.
Pecilli working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Pecilli misses with a punch to the body.
Bates blocks an elbow strike from Pecilli.
Bates misses with some punches.
Pecilli blocks a body shot from Bates.
Bates blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bates.
Bates goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bates scores with a shoulder strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Bates dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Guillermo Pecilli's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pecilli tries to clinch but Bates is having none of it.
Decent striking displayed by Pecilli there.
Pecilli needs to keep his hands up - Bates had a free shot at his head there.
Bates throws a right hand that Pecilli ducks under and follows up with a left that Pecilli also avoids with ease.
Pecilli looks to land a right hand but Bates moved out of range.
Pecilli lands a nice shot to the body.
Pecilli scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bates doesn't seem bothered though.
Bates moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Pecilli throws a poor cross that misses
and Bates counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bates throws a hook to the side of Pecilli's head but Pecilli sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A shot to the body from Pecilli misses
and Bates counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bates moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Pecilli is rocked!
Pecilli misses the shot to the body.
Pecilli is still on wobbly legs! Can Bates finish him?
Pecilli misses with a wild body shot.
Pecilli swinging wildly here.
Bates swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates lands a nice hook to Pecilli's body. Pecilli takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Pecilli seems to have recovered his senses.
Pecilli slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Pecilli instigates a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Pecilli fails to land.
Pecilli lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bates is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Pecilli working aggressively here.
Pecilli throws a punch but it's blocked by Bates.
Pecilli has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Pecilli struggles to land a body shot inside as Bates controls his hands.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bates.
Pecilli misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bates blocks the elbow strike.
Pecilli works on Bates's body with a couple of short punches.

Bates's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A jab from Pecilli misses.
Bates swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Bates misses with a looping left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pecilli darts in trying to clinch
and Bates counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice straight punches there by Pecilli. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Pecilli.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pecilli dodges the punch combination from Bates.
Pecilli misses with a straight left.
Bates pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Pecilli back to the cage. Bates follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Bates misses with a straight left.
Pecilli tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bates swats him away and circles back towards the center.
An attempted straight right counter from Bates misses the target.

Bates gets tackled into the cage by Pecilli. Pecilli maintains the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Bates scores with a nice short uppercut.
Bates tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pecilli's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Pecilli.
Pecilli has Bates pressed against the cage.
Bates softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Pecilli misses with a punch to the body.
Bates doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pecilli misses with a punch to the body.
A right hand to the body from Pecilli.

Bates escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bates misses with a wild combination.
Nice body punch from Pecilli.
Bates fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Pecilli misses with a right hand
enabling Bates to counter with a crisp jab.
Bates on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bates circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bates takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pecilli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bates moves away.
Bates fails to land with a series of punches.
Pecilli misses with a lunging right hand
and Bates counters with a right hand to the body.
Pecilli lands a slapping body shot.
Bates throws a jab but it's blocked by Pecilli.
Pecilli wants to counter the offense by Bates and move into the clinch position.
Bates misses with a wild body shot.
Pecilli tries to close the distance and clinch but Bates swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pecilli tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Bates counters with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Bates clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Guillermo Pecilli's cut.
That's time! Bates's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bates is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pecilli.
Pecilli tries to clinch up but Bates circles away and keeps his distance.
Bates pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bates works over Pecilli's head and body with a nice combination.
Pecilli walks into a straight right hand from Bates.
Pecilli lands with a straight right. Bates didn't see that one coming.
Bates lands a glancing blow to the side of Pecilli's head.
Pecilli needs to keep his hands up - Bates had a free shot at his head there.
Bates throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pecilli tries to counter by closing the distance.
Pecilli pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A left lands for Pecilli.
Bates scores with a hook to the body. Pecilli takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bates missing with a left hand there. Pecilli was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pecilli tries to clinch but Bates moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pecilli scores with a shot to the body.
Pecilli darts in trying to clinch
and Bates counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bates avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bates lands with an overhand left.
Pecilli tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bates paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pecilli throws the left hand but Bates avoids the punch easily.
Bates smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Pecilli closes the distance and clinches.
Bates fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pecilli misses with a punch to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bates blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bates misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bates misses with the head strike.
Pecilli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bates's elbow.
Bates can't break the clinch.
Bates doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bates lands a hook that snaps the head of Pecilli backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Bates fails to land.
A short uppercut from Pecilli.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pecilli tries to throw a body punch but Bates avoids it by throwing Pecilli back against the cage.
A short right from Pecilli.
Pecilli blocks a body shot from Bates.

Bates breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bates throws a body shot but no joy.
Pecilli tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pecilli moves in looking to clinch but Bates pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pecilli misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bates.
Pecilli uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bates.
Pecilli digs a good hook to Bates's body.

Pecilli clinches with his opponent.

Bates escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pecilli throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bates ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pecilli moves away.
Pecilli connects with a right hand. Bates shakes it off.
Bates moves away from the strike by Pecilli.
It looked like Bates was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Pecilli.
Bates cracks Pecilli with an open hand slap.
Pecilli throws an overhand right that lands on Bates's shoulder, as Bates tries to avoid the shot.
Pecilli is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bates swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pecilli is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pecilli scores with a jab.
Pecilli moves in looking to clinch but Bates pushes him off.
A punch combination from Bates misses.
Pecilli ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bates defending well as Pecilli loads up on a big left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Pecilli rushes Bates and presses him up against the cage.
Bates makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Pecilli tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pecilli stalls.
Bates goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Bates had his way with Guillermo Pecilli in that round.
The cut man is working on Guillermo Pecilli's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bates connects with a nice looking jab.

Pecilli has managed to clinch.
Pecilli doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pecilli has Bates pressed against the cage.
Bates lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Pecilli backwards.
Bates blocks an uppercut.
Pecilli is pushing Bates up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Pecilli misses with an elbow over the top.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pecilli controlling the action here for a moment.
Pecilli just leaning against Bates, taking a breather.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bates.
Bates cracks Pecilli with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pecilli scores with a shot to the side of Bates's head.
Pecilli lands with a short shot to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bates.
Pecilli misses with a punch to the body.
Bates scores with a shot to the side of Pecilli's head.
Pecilli misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pecilli blocks a body shot from Bates.
Bates tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bates throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Pecillis head.
Bates lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short right from Bates on the inside.
Pecilli misses with a punch on the inside.
Pecilli misses with the head strike.
A short right from Bates on the inside.
Pecilli wants to stall.
Guillermo Pecilli seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Bates throws a punch but it's blocked by Pecilli.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bates lands with a short shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bates's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bates tries to bum rush Pecilli with a series of wild strikes but Pecilli uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Pecilli throws a body punch but Bates moves out of range.

Pecilli clinches with his opponent.

Bates breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bates lands with an uppercut that bounces Pecilli off the cage and back into range.
Bates throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bates throws a body punch but Pecilli moves out of range.
Bates misses with a body shot.
Pecilli thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bates uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pecilli.
Bates swings for the body but Pecilli moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bates comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Pecilli instigates a clinch.
Bates lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Bates struggles to land a body shot inside as Pecilli controls his hands.
A head punch on the inside from Pecilli fails to land.
Pecilli has a couple of punches blocked by Bates.
James Bates is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Pecilli tries to throw a body punch but Bates avoids it by throwing Pecilli back against the cage.
Pecilli lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Bates.
Pecilli misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Pecilli fails to land.
Bates's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Pecilli misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pecilli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bates's elbow.
Pecilli misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bates blocking some punches.
Pecilli struggles to land a body shot inside as Bates controls his hands.
Pecilli lands a left hand.
Pecilli throws a punch but it's blocked by Bates.
Pecilli fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pecilli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bates's elbow.
Pecilli misses with a hook to the ribs.
Guillermo Pecilli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pecilli misses with a shot to the kidneys.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to James Bates.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bates, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 50:45
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 50:45
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Bates!
James Bates is the new bantamweight champion!
A relieved looking James Bates thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.