PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Georges St Pierre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Spang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). St Pierre comes to the cage accompanied by Numero 1. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

St Pierre
vs
Spang

178 cm
23
185 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

185 cm
23
191 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Georges St Pierre!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jack Spang!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Yves DeLean and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spang throws a right and a left that St Pierre avoids nicely.
St Pierre takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Spang drops St Pierre with a nice combination! Spang dives into St Pierre's guard, looking to finish!

St Pierre is rocked!

It looks like Georges St Pierre has been cut.
St Pierre has a closed guard, preventing Spang from standing up.

Spang drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and St Pierre dives on top into guard.
St Pierre stays in close to Spang's body and controls the position.
Spang wants to get back to his feet but St Pierre is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
St Pierre has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
St Pierre showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Spang throws his legs up looking for a submission but St Pierre uses it to pass to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

St Pierre is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Spang is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
St Pierre staying calm.
The strikes coming from St Pierre are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Spang misses with a strike from the bottom.
Spang struggling a bit here.
Spang tries to escape but St Pierre is in control.
St Pierre content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
St Pierre is looking to take a break and control but Spang is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Spang throws a right hand that St Pierre ducks under and follows up with a left that St Pierre also avoids with ease.
Spang throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

St Pierre shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Spang is trying to defend but St Pierre finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
St Pierre controlling the action here.
Spang tries to roll over but St Pierre keeps him under control.
St Pierre not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
St Pierre trying to mount his opponent but Spang defends it.
St Pierre thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Spang's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spang is not content to let St Pierre control the position.
Spang trying to control here.
St Pierre thows a huge punch but Spang dodges it nicely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A left and a right from St Pierre both land. Nice combination.
Spang throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and St Pierre counters with a nice body kick.
Jack Spang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spang throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and St Pierre counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Spang!
Spang looks gassed!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spang is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
St Pierre breaks from Spang's wrist control and lands an elbow.
St Pierre takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
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 Georges St Pierre will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Georges St Pierre's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

St Pierre changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Spang looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
St Pierre trying to control the position but Spang is working away.

St Pierre decides to stand up, so the ref orders Spang to his feet.
Spang falls off balance throwing a combination

and St Pierre counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
St Pierre wants to pass the guard but Spang is keeping the position.
Spang trying to keep a closed guard but St Pierre is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
St Pierre controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Pierre trying to control but Spang is working from the bottom.
Spang controls St Pierre momentarily but St Pierre frees himself.
St Pierre forces his way into half guard.
St Pierre thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Spang's head.
Spang has his hands clasped together around St Pierre's back. He's all about the action.

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.
St Pierre is controlling the pace.
St Pierre is just content to waste time from the top position. Spang takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
St Pierre wants to control from the top but Spang keeps moving.
Spang trying to keep a closed guard but St Pierre is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Spang wants to sweep here but St Pierre controlling him for the moment.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Spang holds on and takes a little breather.
Spang bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in St Pierre's guard.
Georges St Pierre overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Spang wanted to stand there but St Pierre had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Spang trying to control the position from guard on top but St Pierre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
St Pierre utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Spang wants to control from the top but St Pierre keeps moving.
Spang sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Georges St Pierre dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Georges St Pierre's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Spang looks to clinch

so St Pierre counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
St Pierre tries to free his leg and advance position but Spang is retaining full guard.
Spang is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Despite being in the dominant position, Jack Spang just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Spang's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Spang duly obliges.
Spang displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from St Pierre.
Spang misses with a double jab

and St Pierre counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Spang is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but St Pierre pulls his head out easily.

St Pierre decides to stand up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

St Pierre scores with a takedown into Spang's guard.
Spang wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and St Pierre is now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Pierre wants to take a breather but Spang is having none of it.
Spang trying to control here.
Well, if St Pierre is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
St Pierre missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

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.
Spang looks like he's trying to stand up.
Spang trying to control from the bottom.
Spang wants to get back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

St Pierre closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Spang to the mat! Spang manages to get full guard.
St Pierre controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Spang throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
St Pierre trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Spang throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! St Pierre escapes and throws Spang's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Spang pushes St Pierre away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, St Pierre gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Spang is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Spang moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

St Pierre stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spang throws a series of punches but St Pierre moves out of range.
Spang tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and St Pierre counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
St Pierre trying to control from half guard but Spang is working away.
Spang is looking to control St Pierre's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Spang avoid being mounted?
Spang trying to get back to full guard but St Pierre takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
St Pierre sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Georges St Pierre clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Georges St Pierre's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Spang misses with a double jab

and St Pierre counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Spang's guard now.
Spang is looking to stand up but St Pierre isn't so interested in that idea.
St Pierre looking to sit in guard and control but Spang gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
St Pierre keeping moving, preventing Spang from controlling successfully.
St Pierre looking for a sweep. Not yet St Pierre, not yet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Pierre is trying to hold Spang in close to prevent damage but Spang has managed to pass into half guard.
Well, if Spang is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

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.
It looks like Spang is going to stand back up.
St Pierre is trying to get back to full guard.
Spang tries to stand but his hand is stuck under St Pierre.
St Pierre holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spang decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Spang throws a combination but it was largely blocked by St Pierre.

St Pierre gets a clinch.
St Pierre tries to score a body lock takedown but Spang shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Spang is pressed up against the cage. St Pierre has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Spang down to the mat. Spang avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Spang misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Spang defends well against a solid takedown attempt from St Pierre.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Georges St Pierre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
St Pierre shoots in for a takedown but Spang shows good takedown defense.
Spang displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from St Pierre.
Spang throws a right hand that St Pierre ducks under and follows up with a left that St Pierre also avoids with ease.
Spang tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and St Pierre counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Spang!
Spang is looking to improve his position but St Pierre isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Spang?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spang is working to get back to half guard.
St Pierre trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Spang tries to reverse the position but St Pierre maintains control.
St Pierre looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Georges St Pierre had his way with Jack Spang in that round.
The cut man is working on Georges St Pierre's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Spang looks to land a combination but St Pierre avoids it well.

St Pierre scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Spang trying to control from the bottom.
St Pierre throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
St Pierre trying to control the action but Spang is working from the bottom.
St Pierre slips a nice elbow through Spang's hands, connecting with Spang's forehead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
St Pierre sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Spang manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Spang throws a series of punches but St Pierre moves out of range.

St Pierre shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Spang is trying to defend but St Pierre finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Spang is trying to maintain the position but St Pierre is very close to passing his half guard.
Spang is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spang is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Spang wants to get back to his feet.
Spang tries to get to full guard but St Pierre has control of the leg.
St Pierre missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Spang on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Spang is trying to stand up here but St Pierre is controlling him well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

St Pierre drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Spang being controlled for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spang tries to bench press St Pierre off him but St Pierre keeps the position.
Spang is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked St Pierre off and has taken his back!

Spang is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Spang has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, St Pierre has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

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 throws strikes from the back but St Pierre rolls nicely and manages to end up in full guard. Nice work by St Pierre.
Jack Spang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Spang tries to free his leg and advance position but St Pierre is retaining full guard.
Georges St Pierre is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

St Pierre manages to escape and get back to his feet.
St Pierre shoots for a takedown but Spang saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Spang will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Spang misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

And that's the end of the fight!
Georges St Pierre showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for St Pierre, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Peck scores the fight 50:45
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 50:45
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Georges St Pierre!
Georges St Pierre retains his middleweight title!