PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marshall Mathers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Spang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mathers
vs
Spang

182 cm
20
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
195 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marshall Mathers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jack Spang!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spang fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mathers wants to clinch up but Spang keeps it at a distance.

Spang closes the distance and clinches.
Mathers stalling in the clinch but Spang improves position.

Mathers breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Spang closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Spang throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mathers trying to control the position but instead, Spang has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mathers into the cage.
Spang throws an elbow that misses.
Spang looking to throw knees to the head but Mathers is blocking nicely.
Spang landing knees to the head.
Spang working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Spang throws an elbow that misses.
Spang landing knees to the head.
Spang creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Mathers has a couple of punches blocked by Spang.
Spang pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Spang tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Mathers breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jack Spang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spang throws a series of punches but Mathers avoids them all with ease.
A slapping leg kick lands for Spang.
Spang misses with a series of wild punches.

Spang rushes Mathers and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Spang.
Spang tries a knee to the head but Mathers blocks it.
Spang connects with a knee to the head.
Spang looks gassed!
Spang tries to land a knee to the head but Mathers blocks with his arms.
Spang landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Mathers has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Spang uses from the top position.
Mathers lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Spang!

Mathers looking to secure an arm triangle but Spang defends it well.
Mathers wants to control the pace but Spang is squirming around nicely.

Mathers wants to finish this one by submission but Spang is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Mathers.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spang slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Spang looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Spang is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Spang looks like he's trying to stand up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spang is refusing to be controlled, as Mathers sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spang regains full guard. Nicely done.
Mathers stops Spang from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mathers throwing strikes but missing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Spang throws a quick inside leg kick.

Mathers clinches up against the cage.
Mathers drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mathers with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mathers blocks the elbow strike.
Mathers blocks an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Spang using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mathers has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A shot in the inside from Spang.
Mathers goes for a takedown in the clinch but Spang prevents it.
Spang unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mathers lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mathers avoids a wild elbow strike from Spang.
Mathers is trying to break the clinch but Spang has him pressed against the cage.
Spang tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Mathers has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Spang uses from the top position.
Mathers wants to sweep but no luck.

Mathers is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Spang stands and steps away. Mathers gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Spang tries to bum rush Mathers with a series of wild strikes but Mathers uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Spang looks to land a combination. Mathers sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Spang dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mathers darts in and clinches Spang up against the cage.
Spang lands a hook to the side of the head.

Mathers pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Spang lands a head shot.
Marshall Mathers is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spang getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Spang doesn't manage to clinch there - Mathers circles away.
Spang misses with a two punch combination.
No joy there for Spang, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Spang fails to land with a series of punches.
Spang rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mathers moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Mathers moves into range and clinches up with Spang.
Mathers tries to throw a body punch but Spang avoids it by throwing Mathers back against the cage.
Spang presses Mathers against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Mathers pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mathers will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mathers fails in his attempt to clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Spang throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Mathers moves in looking to clinch but Spang pushes him off.
Spang stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spang looks to land a combination but Mathers avoids it well.
Mathers dodges the punch combination from Spang.
Mathers shoots in looking for a takedown. Spang tries to sprawl out of it but Mathers keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spang manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marshall Mathers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spang fails to land with a series of punches.
Mathers is looking to clinch.
Mathers moves in looking to clinch but Spang pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Spang looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mathers dodges the punch combination from Spang.
Mathers fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Spang throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mathers tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Spang paws at him with a jab and circles away.

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.
Spang tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mathers swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Spang has managed to clinch.
Spang prevents a takedown attempt there.
Spang unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mathers lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mathers wants to get back to striking at distance but Spang won't allow it.
Spang is leaning against Mathers and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Spang missing with knees to the body.
Spang throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mathers dodges an elbow strike from Spang.
Mathers blocks the elbow strike.
Spang tries a knee to the head but Mathers blocks it.
Mathers jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Spang walks away with a smile on his face. Mathers gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Spang throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Horrible takedown by Mathers or perhaps it was just good defense by Spang which made him look bad.
Spang swinging wilding here.
Spang misses with a double jab.
Mathers avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spang fails to land with a series of punches.
Spang misses with a few strikes there.
Mathers fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mathers wants to clinch.
Spang throws a series of punches but Mathers avoids them all with ease.
Mathers misses with a takedown attempt - Spang sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Spang throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mathers.
Spang throws a right and a left that Mathers avoids nicely.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Spang!
Mathers is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Spang.
Mathers fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Spang fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's four 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.
Spang misses with a jab, cross combination.
Spang throws a right and a left that Mathers avoids nicely.
Spang scoring well with a low kick there.
Spang scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Spang lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mathers backs up against the cage.
Spang tries to bum rush Mathers with a series of wild strikes but Mathers uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mathers shoots in for a double leg but Spang sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Mathers scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Spang is looking to improve his position.
Mathers is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Mathers controlling the action here.
Mathers sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Spang defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Spang showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Mathers crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Spang - the referee stops the clock and Mathers gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Spang. Mathers manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Spang clobbers Mathers with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Spang gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Spang lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Spang throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mathers blocks it with crossed arms.
Mathers throws a head punch that misses.
Spang with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Spang with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mathers is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Mathers stalling.
Spang gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mathers.
Spang misses with a knee strike.
Spang misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Spang misses with a knee strike.
Mathers is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Mathers wants to stall.
Spang scores with a knee to the head.
Mathers throws an elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spang misses with a knee to the head.
Spang with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Spang tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mathers tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Spang smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marshall Mathers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mathers is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mathers closes the distance and clinches up with Spang, looking for a takedown. Mathers pushes Spang against the cage but Spang circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Spang scores with a one two! Mathers had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Mathers wants to clinch.
Jab from Spang.

Spang clinches.

Mathers breaks the clinch.

Spang pushes Mathers up against the cage in a clinch.
Mathers takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mathers fails to pull guard.
Mathers tries to pull guard but Spang won't allow it.
Knees to the body from Spang.
Spang lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mathers tries to pull guard but Spang won't allow it.
Spang works on Mathers's body with a couple of short punches.
Mathers changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Spang fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mathers shoots in but no luck this time.

Mathers shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Spang is trying desperately to improve position.
Spang tries to lock up and control but Mathers gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathers with shots to the head and body - Spang looks very uncomfortable down there.
Spang is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Spang is bucking up trying to escape but Mathers cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Mathers lands a big elbow.
Spang is looking to improve his position but Mathers isn't that keen on the idea.
The referee warns Spang that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Spang is looking to improve his position but Mathers isn't that keen on the idea.
Mathers lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Mathers working for a submission but Spang is keeping him at bay.
Mathers tries to control but Spang wriggling away.

Mathers goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Spang turns into him and now he's in Mathers's guard.
Marshall Mathers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jack Spang is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Mathers looking for a guillotine here but Spang defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Spang comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Spang winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Spang!