PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kev Rubio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jim Gates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rubio comes to the cage accompanied by turn down for what. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rubio
vs
Gates

180 cm
23
164 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

175 cm
22
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kev Rubio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jim Gates!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Jorge Garcia and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gates instigates a clinch.

Rubio turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Rubio working away.

Rubio goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Gates has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Rubio but great work by Gates.

Gates goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Rubio has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Gates but great work by Rubio.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gates is looking to regain half guard here but Rubio keeps moving and retains side control.
Gates is trying to control Rubio's posture but Rubio avoids it.
Rubio controlling the position from side mount.
Rubio is looking to take a break and control but Gates is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rubio thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Gates is looking for a sweep.
Gates wants to control but Rubio postures up.
What's Gates going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.

Rubio looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two 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.
Gates tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gates gets back to half guard.
Gates trying to control from the bottom.

Rubio is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Gates still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Gates has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!

Gates tries for a kimura but Rubio is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rubio is trying to get back to his feet.
Gates tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Gates trying to control the action but Rubio is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rubio takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Gates tries to stand but Rubio is controlling his head.
Gates working the strikes but Rubio uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gates is looking to take a break and control but Rubio is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gates trying to mount his opponent but Rubio defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kev Rubio will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rubio shoots in looking for a takedown. Gates tries to sprawl out of it but Rubio keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gates manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Gates gets a clinch.

Gates pulls guard successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gates is on top in guard.

Gates gets to his feet. Rubio looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rubio avoids the head kick by Gates.
Rubio gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Rubio tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gates sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rubio somewhat.
Gates is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Rubio with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gates closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gates jumps guard but Rubio turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Gates manages to break the clinch.
Gates doesn't manage to clinch there - Rubio circles away.
Rubio swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rubio moves out of range of the body kick from Gates.
Gates lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rubio circles away quickly and effectively.
Gates shoots in but no luck this time.
Rubio tries to counter by clinching up but Gates breaks away and moves out of range.
Gates slaps away a takedown attempt from Rubio, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kev Rubio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rubio fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rubio has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kev Rubio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rubio changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gates tries to avoid it but Rubio manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gates to the ground. Gates escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rubio showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gates.
Gates defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rubio.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gates! But no joy.
Gates throws a 1-2 combo that connects squarely on Rubio's jaw, knocking him onto his back! Gates dives in looking to finish as Rubio flails his arms in a desperate attempt to block Gates's strikes! Gates is raining down hammerfists and the ref stops it! Rubio's desperate flailing just didn't constitute intelligent defence. Some people will probably question the ref's decision but Rubio was definitely hurt and the ref saved him from taking unnecessary punishment. A fighter's safety is paramount in this sport.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jim Gates!
Jim Gates thanked the fans post fight for their support.
Kev Rubio spoke after the fight, saying 'i did my best and i give it all but next time i will win '.