PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Bay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Villi Kotobalavu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bay comes to the cage accompanied by Feuer Frei. Kotobalavu is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: "Another Body Murdered" by Faith No more & Boo-Yaa Tribe. 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.

Bay
vs
Kotobalavu

168 cm
22
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
180 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thomas Bay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Villi Kotobalavu!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Summer Carpenter and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Kotobalavu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kotobalavu moves in looking to clinch but Bay pushes him off.
Bay throws a jab but it's blocked by Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bay paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bay looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kotobalavu is fending him off so far but Bay persists. Nope, Kotobalavu circles away and we're back to standing.
Kotobalavu keeps the fight on the outside.
Bay shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kotobalavu as he avoids it easily.
Kotobalavu finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bay wants to clinch.

Bay has Kotobalavu up against the cage in a clinch.
Kotobalavu blocks the elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bay changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kotobalavu fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Bay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bay keeps the fight on the outside.
Bay attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kotobalavu fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Kotobalavu.

Bay rushes Kotobalavu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bay using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kotobalavu wants to stall.
Bay trying to land knees to the body.
Kotobalavu is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kotobalavu throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bay blocks it with crossed arms.
Kotobalavu missing with knees to the body.
Bay connects with a knee to the head.
Bay wants to get back to striking at distance but Kotobalavu won't allow it.
Bay blocks the elbow strike.
Bay tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kotobalavu smiles and moves away.

Bay drives through and clinches with Kotobalavu against the cage.
Bay tries to pull guard but Kotobalavu holds him up against the cage and eventually Bay drops back down to his feet.
Bay fails to pull guard.
Bay using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kotobalavu stalling in the clinch but Bay improves position.
Bay misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kotobalavu.
Bay misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kotobalavu.
Bay misses with a knee strike.
Kotobalavu stops a takedown attempt from Bay.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bay crunches a lovely knee into Kotobalavu's ribcage.
Bay is breathing heavily.
Kotobalavu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kotobalavu prevents the takedown attempt.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kotobalavu.
Bay blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kotobalavu gets underhooks to prevent Bay's takedown attempt.
Bay is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kotobalavu is keeping busy.
Kotobalavu scores a nice knee to the body.
Kotobalavu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bay tries to pull guard but Kotobalavu won't allow it.
Bay crunches a lovely knee into Kotobalavu's ribcage.
Bay landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Bay on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kotobalavu on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kotobalavu tries to land knees in the clinch but Bay avoids the damage to the body.

Bay successfully pulls guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bay manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kotobalavu tries to hold on but Bay postures up.
Kotobalavu is wriggling around trying to escape.
Bay lands a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bay dominating with strikes here.
Kotobalavu taking shots to the head.
Bay lands a big elbow.

Bay with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Kotobalavu wants to hold on but Bay pushes him away.
Kotobalavu avoids a series of strikes thrown by Bay.
Kotobalavu slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Kotobalavu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bay.
Bay not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bay drops an elbow to the side of Kotobalavu's head.
Kotobalavu wants to control but Bay is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bay is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kotobalavu has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bay is working away from the top position though.
Bay has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Kotobalavu is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Bay pulls his head out easily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kotobalavu throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bay misses with a leg kick
and Kotobalavu counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Bay misses the jab.
Bay throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Bay dominated that round.
That's time! Bay's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bay shoots for a takedown but Kotobalavu saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kotobalavu thuds his right hand into Bay's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bay tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bay throws a leg kick

and Kotobalavu counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Bay misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kotobalavu.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kotobalavu.
Bay tries to land knees in the clinch but Kotobalavu avoids the damage to the body.
Bay has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kotobalavu avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kotobalavu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kotobalavu is looking to control Bay's arms but Bay gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kotobalavu has his back to the cage.
Kotobalavu struggles to land a body shot inside as Bay controls his hands.
Bay misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bay.
Kotobalavu looking to stall.
Kotobalavu gets underhooks to prevent Bay's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Bay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bay is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Bay is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kotobalavu misses with a punch on the inside.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kotobalavu misses with an elbow over the top.
with the fighters clinched against the cage, Kotobalavu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bay shoots in and drives through. Kotobalavu sprawls well.
Bay thows a leg kick but Kotobalavu checks it
and Kotobalavu counters with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bay stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kotobalavu.
Bay fails with the takedown
and Kotobalavu counters with a left and a right that stings Bay.
Bay throws a series of punches but Kotobalavu avoids them all with ease.
No joy there for Kotobalavu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Bay gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Bay blocking some punches.
Bay misses with an elbow strike.
Bay has Kotobalavu pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kotobalavu manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Bay tries to score a body lock takedown but Kotobalavu shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bay goes for a takedown attempt but Kotobalavu pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kotobalavu stuffs the takedown.
Villi Kotobalavu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bay closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kotobalavu circles away.

Kotobalavu gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bay tries to stall but Kotobalavu uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Bay fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Bay managing to block the knees to the body from Kotobalavu.
Bay prevents a body shot from Kotobalavu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotobalavu misses with a punch to the body.
Bay landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kotobalavu is pressed up against the cage. Bay has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kotobalavu down to the mat. Kotobalavu avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Villi Kotobalavu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kotobalavu throws a series of punches but Bay moves out of range.
Bay takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bay gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bay moves in looking to clinch but Kotobalavu pushes him off.
Jab by Kotobalavu.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bay is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kotobalavu.
Thomas Bay seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kotobalavu swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bay closes the distance and clinches up with Kotobalavu, looking for a takedown. Bay pushes Kotobalavu against the cage but Kotobalavu circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bay has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Bay wants to clinch but Kotobalavu slips to the side
and Kotobalavu counters with an inside leg kick.
Bay tries to clinch but Kotobalavu is having none of it.
Bay misses with a takedown attempt
and Bay takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bay throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bay fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bay lands an elbow inside.
Bay tries for a takedown but Kotobalavu manages to get underhooks.
Kotobalavu tries to throw a body punch but Bay avoids it by throwing Kotobalavu back against the cage.
Bay using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bay using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bay using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kotobalavu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kotobalavu misses with a body punch.
Bay with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bay tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kotobalavu pushes off an throws an elbow but Bay leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Bay fails to pull guard.
Kotobalavu lands an elbow just above Bay 's eye.
Bay fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Bay manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Kotobalavu trying to control the position from guard on top but Bay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kotobalavu is stalling in the full guard.
Kotobalavu trying to control the position from guard on top but Bay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bay being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kotobalavu won't allow Bay to sweep him here.
Bay is trying to control the position but Kotobalavu postures up.
Kotobalavu wants to control from the top but Bay keeps moving.
Bay controls Kotobalavu momentarily but Kotobalavu frees himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kotobalavu ducks under a wild hook from Bay.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Villi Kotobalavu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Bay misses the shot to the body.
Bay on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bay misses the body punch
and Kotobalavu counters with a stiff right hand.

Bay clinches up against the cage.
Kotobalavu avoids the elbow strike from Bay, against the cage.
Bay tries to land knees in the clinch but Kotobalavu avoids the damage to the body.

Bay turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Bay manages to end up in side control.
Bay working away.
Kotobalavu tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bay working away.
Kotobalavu sneaks back into half guard.
Kotobalavu tries to get to full guard but Bay has control of the leg.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kotobalavu looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bay throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bay tries to pass to full mount but Kotobalavu defends it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kotobalavu. That's going to slow Bay down.
Bay doesn't manage to clinch there - Kotobalavu circles away.
Bay closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kotobalavu circles away.
Kotobalavu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kotobalavu doesn't manage to clinch there - Bay circles away.
Bay slips under a jab from Kotobalavu.

Bay rushes Kotobalavu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bay managing to block the knees to the body from Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kotobalavu trying to land knees to the body.
Kotobalavu trying to land knees to the body.
Kotobalavu on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kotobalavu avoiding damage as Bay throws knees to the body.
Kotobalavu misses with an elbow strike.
Kotobalavu crunches a lovely knee into Bay's ribcage.
Kotobalavu swings wildly with an uppercut but Bay uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bay wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Bay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bay lands an elbow that stopped Kotobalavu in his tracks for a moment.
Bay lands an elbow that stopped Kotobalavu in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Villi Kotobalavu has been cut.

Bay works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Bay with a nice head shot there.
Kotobalavu has momentary wrist control but Bay slips an elbow through the middle.
Kotobalavu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bay postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bay controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bay stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kotobalavu swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kotobalavu controls Bay momentarily but Bay frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bay postures up in Kotobalavu's guard and throws a big left but Kotobalavu blocks it.
Kotobalavu is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Bay lands with a thumping leg kick.
Bay avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bay scores with a nice right hand.
Bay with a poor takedown
and Kotobalavu counters with a two punch combo.
Bay throws a chopping leg kick but Kotobalavu manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bay throws a head kick but Kotobalavu moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Kotobalavu there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bay shoots in looking for a takedown. Kotobalavu tries to sprawl out of it but Bay keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kotobalavu manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bay attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotobalavu misses with a series of wild punches.
Bay tries to clinch up

and Kotobalavu moves into the clinch.
Kotobalavu gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bay.
Bay on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kotobalavu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kotobalavu throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kotobalavu avoiding damage as Bay throws knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu stalling the fight.
Bay tries to land knees in the clinch but Kotobalavu avoids the damage to the body.
Kotobalavu lands a knee to the head.
Kotobalavu throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kotobalavu takes an elbow to the forehead.
Villi Kotobalavu seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Knees in the clinch landing for Bay.

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 Thomas Bay.
I think Bay has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 29:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!