PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Balal Lama (ranked 415 p4p, 771 weight class) and Roger Sparr (ranked 58 p4p, 92 weight class). Sparr is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: OH NO!. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Lama
vs
Sparr

195 cm
34
220
18 - 11 - 0

200 cm
31
265
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Fast

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 18 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Balal Lama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Roger Sparr!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Albert Achterberg and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sparr looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Sparr scores with a hook to the body. Lama takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Lama walks into a straight right hand from Sparr.

Lama drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Sparr is looking to reverse the position.
Lama working away.
The referee asks Lama politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Lama prefers to stall for the moment though.
Lama scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Sparr to see if he's OK.
Lama tries to score with some ground and pound. Sparr controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Sparr can't do much from the bottom here.
Sparr prevents Lama from improving position.
Sparr tries to buck Lama off but Lama is having none of it.
Sparr is not content to let Lama control the position.
You can see the frustration on Sparr's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparr avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Lama.
Lama is trying to ground and pound but Sparr uses the momentary lack of control by Lama to regain half guard.
Lama is trying to control the action in half guard but Sparr is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sparr is looking to improve his position.
Lama thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sparr's head.
Lama is taking a breather. Sparr says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sparr controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Lama prevents Sparr from improving his position.

That's two 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.
Lama trying to control the action but Sparr is working from the bottom.
Sparr is trying to control but can't.
Lama lands strikes from half guard.
Lama looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sparr keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Lama looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sparr with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Lama 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.
Lama thows a huge punch but Sparr dodges it nicely.
Lama not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lama seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sparr does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lama takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Lama trying to control from half guard but Sparr is working away.
Lama is thwarting Sparr's attempts to control the position.
Sparr has his hands clasped together around Lama's back. He's all about the action.
Sparr tries to roll over but Lama keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sparr is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lama's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lama's back!
Sparr is punishing Lama with strikes - can he finish him?!
Sparr gets his hands free as Lama looks to control.
Lama is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Kaptajnernes Træningscenter, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sparr softening up his opponent with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparr controls the position.
Lama is trying to break free.
Lama is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Sparr.
Lama is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
I really don't envy Lama right now.
Lama covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
I really don't envy Lama right now.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Sparr.
Sparr is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
I really don't envy Lama right now.
Sparr controls the action.
Lama tries to roll but Sparr sticks to his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Roger Sparr will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Lama throws a head kick that misses
and Sparr counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Lama lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Sparr has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Sparr and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Lama throws out a loose jab but Sparr uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lama lands a two punch combo.
Sparr throws a hook but Lama avoids it easily.
Lama shoots in for a double leg but Sparr sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lama swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sparr throws a jab but it's blocked by Lama.
Lama moves away from the strike by Sparr.
Balal Lama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sparr scores with a nice head shot.
Balal Lama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sparr connects with a single shot there.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Lama.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sparr prevents Lama from improving position.
Sparr can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparr manages to work his way to half guard, despite Lama's best efforts.
Lama is trying to control the action in half guard but Sparr is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Lama thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sparr is trying to get back to full guard.
Sparr is trying to stand back up but Lama is controlling him
Lama prevents Sparr from improving his position.
Lama seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sparr does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sparr blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lama.
Sparr keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Lama controlling the action here.

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.
Lama thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sparr's head.
Lama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sparr keeps working.
Lama thows a huge punch but Sparr dodges it nicely.
Lama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sparr keeps working.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Lama is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Lama won't allow Sparr to sweep him here.
Sparr keeping full guard, as Lama tries to pass.
Lama trying to control the position from guard on top but Sparr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lama misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Sparr.
Lama shoots in for a takedown but Sparr shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sparr misses the jab.
Sparr scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lama doesn't seem bothered though.
Sparr scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Lama slips under a jab.
Sparr uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lama.
Lama slips a jab and a cross from Sparr.
Sparr keeps the fight on the outside.
Sparr doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Sparr stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Balal Lama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sparr takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sparr looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A big left from Sparr misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Sparr misses the target.
Sparr dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sparr misses the shot to the body.
Sparr keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lama manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sparr on his heels. He'll look to pass Sparr's guard now, I'm sure.
Sparr pulls Lama in close to prevent any damage.
Lama throwing strikes but missing.
Sparr seems keen to control Lama's posture.
Lama trying to control the position from guard on top but Sparr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sparr has his hands on Lama's head, controlling the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Roger Sparr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Lama shoots in but no luck this time.
Sparr misses with a hook.
Sparr slips a jab and a cross from Lama.
It seemed like Sparr was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Lama shoots in but no luck this time.
Sparr looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lama misses with a hook
and Sparr counters with a straight right hand.
Lama slips a straight right by Sparr.
Lama has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Balal Lama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lama takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Lama dodges the punch combination from Sparr.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lama misses with a takedown
and Sparr connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sparr scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lama. Sparr does a little dance to reset his feet.

Lama closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Balal Lama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparr wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Sparr is trying to control Lama's posture but Lama avoids it.
Sparr is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Lama working away.
Lama cracks Sparr with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Sparr tries to improve position but can't.
Sparr parries the strikes from Lama easily there. Lama is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Sparr to escape.
Sparr can't do much from the bottom here.
Lama wants to control but Sparr is keeping him busy.

That's two 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.
Sparr is looking for a sweep.
Sparr takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Sparr prevents Lama from improving position.
Sparr wants to control but Lama postures up.
Lama landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Lama working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Sparr regains half guard there - taking advantage of Lama's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Sparr gets full guard.
Lama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sparr swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lama being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sparr keeping moving, preventing Lama from controlling successfully.
Lama content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Lama is pushing down on Sparr's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sparr is fighting to maintain full guard but Lama has managed to sneak the leg through.
Lama is trying to control. Sparr wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sparr controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Sparr slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

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.
Lama throwing strikes from guard but Sparr blocks nicely.
Sparr keeping moving, preventing Lama from controlling successfully.
Sparr is trying to control the position but Lama postures up.
Roger Sparr is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lama trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sparr pulls Lama in close to his closed guard and prevents Lama from doing any damage or advancing position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Lama throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sparr misses the shot to the body.
Balal Lama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lama misses with a takedown
letting Sparr counter with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Roger Sparr.
I've got Sparr 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Roger Sparr!
After winning the bout, Roger Sparr thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.