PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bob Bates (ranked 3606 p4p, 367 weight class) and DeSean Crawley (ranked 6330 p4p, 585 weight class). 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
Crawley

191 cm
25
270 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

199 cm
25
282 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bob Bates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, DeSean Crawley!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Reed Andrews and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bates closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bates lands in his opponent's guard.
Crawley is trying to keep Bates in close.
Crawley looking for a sweep. Not yet Crawley, not yet.
Bates postures up.
Bates knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Crawley on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bates controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Bates seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Crawley for as long as he can get away with.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawley 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 is staying active underneath Crawley, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Crawley not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Crawley trying to control the action but Bates is working from the bottom.
Bates on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Bates tries to get out of the position.
Crawley trying to pass the guard but Bates defending well.
Crawley is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawley can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bates is looking to escape.
Bates is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Crawley looking to control but Bates is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Crawley thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Crawley looking to control but Bates is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bates manages to control the position for a moment.
Crawley trying to control but Bates is having none of it.
Crawley tries to push Bates's head away but Bates is holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Crawley tries to control but Bates wriggling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DeSean Crawley dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Crawley moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Bob Bates has been cut.

Bates shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bates showed some decent athleticism there.
Crawley trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bates seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Crawley gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawley is looking to stand up but Bates isn't so interested in that idea.
Crawley is trying to control the position but Bates postures up.

Crawley escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bates gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Crawley is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Crawley is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bates is controlling him.
Crawley has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bates content to stall in guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bates seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

Bates closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Crawley to the mat! Crawley manages to get full guard.
Bates postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crawley escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bates gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bates controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Bates's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Crawley looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bates is one step ahead there.
DeSean Crawley has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bates controls from within his opponent's guard.
Crawley looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Crawley wants to sweep but no luck.
Crawley trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but DeSean Crawley will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Bob Bates's cut.
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!

Bates shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Crawley's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Crawley is on top in guard.

Bates keeping full guard, as Crawley tries to pass.
Crawley trying to control but Bates is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Crawley is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bates keeping moving, preventing Crawley from controlling successfully.
Crawley is pushing down on Bates's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bates is fighting to maintain full guard but Crawley has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Crawley is trying to control. Bates wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Bates is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Crawley's half guard.
Crawley wants to control but Bates is keeping busy.
Bates slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawley regains full guard. Nicely done.
DeSean Crawley is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bates has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Crawley is trying to control the position but Bates postures up.
Bates slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Bates closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Crawley did well to prevent Bates getting side control.
Bates tries to pass the half guard into mount. Crawley knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Crawley is looking to improve his position.
Crawley is trying to maintain the position but Bates is very close to passing his half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Crawley wants to improve his position but Bates is controlling well.

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 Bob Bates.
Well Crawley has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... DeSean Crawley!