PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jonathan Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinji Tainaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tainaka has chosen BATTLE FUNKASTIC as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Sparks
vs
Tainaka

172 cm
25
156 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
163 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

► *159+ for $99 * TDP
► *159+ for $99 * TDP

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 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jonathan Sparks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shinji Tainaka!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, John Roberts and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sparks defending well as Tainaka loads up on a big left hand.
Sparks drops his hands momentarily and Tainaka takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sparks moves out of range of the strikes.
Sparks avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sparks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tainaka needs to keep his hands up - Sparks had a free shot at his head there.
Tainaka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sparks.
The fighters circling - Tainaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tainaka walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A swing and a miss from Sparks.
Tainaka ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sparks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tainaka takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tainaka ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tainaka on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tainaka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tainaka blocks a jab.
Sparks stuffs the takedown.
Sparks lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Tainaka backs up against the cage.
Sparks shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tainaka as he avoids it easily.
Tainaka tries a low kick but Sparks avoids it.
Jonathan Sparks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tainaka throws out a loose jab but Sparks uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd cheers as Sparks lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tainaka doesn't seem phased though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sparks swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sparks scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tainaka tries to bum rush Sparks with a series of wild strikes but Sparks uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jonathan Sparks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tainaka lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sparks circles away quickly and effectively.
Tainaka takes one to the chin there.
Tainaka blocks a leg kick.
A jab from Tainaka misses.
Tainaka moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sparks connects with a solid leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Tainaka misses the target.
Tainaka looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sparks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tainaka.
Tainaka throws a jab but it's blocked by Sparks.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tainaka.
Sparks tries to bench press Tainaka off him but Tainaka keeps the position.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sparks sneaks back into half guard.
Sparks is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sparks needs to keep his hands up - Tainaka had a free shot at his head there.
Sparks swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sparks scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sparks lands an overhand right.
Sparks is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Sparks takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Tainaka on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Sparks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tainaka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks misses with a straight right.
Sparks throws a nice looking combination but Tainaka bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sparks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Tainaka drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tainaka preventing the sweep.
Tainaka throws a big right hand that misses.
Tainaka looking to pass the guard.
Tainaka trying to control the position from guard on top but Sparks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tainaka pushing down on Sparks's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sparks is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tainaka wants to work for an arm triangle but Sparks is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tainaka looks gassed!
Sparks tries to roll over but Tainaka keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sparks throws a good cross that connects.
Tainaka scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Tainaka lands a nice shot that snaps Sparks's head back.
Sparks connects with the punch.
Sparks misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tainaka misses with a looping left.
Sparks tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tainaka swivels and escapes.
Sparks ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The fighters circling - Sparks throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tainaka darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sparks throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sparks looks to land a right hand but Tainaka moved out of range.
Tainaka wants to slow Sparks down by chopping away at his legs.

Sparks gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tainaka to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Tainaka wants to pass the guard but Sparks is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonathan Sparks dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sparks keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tainaka.
Jonathan Sparks is winning the standup battle so far.
A slow jab from Tainaka misses its intended target.
A bone on bone clash there as Tainaka blocks the leg kick.
Sparks lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Sparks misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tainaka.
Sparks scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sparks lands an overhand right.
Tainaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tainaka takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Tainaka swings for the body but Sparks moves out of range.
Sparks scores with a jab to the body.
Sparks lands a slapping body shot.
Sparks lands a right hook to the body.
Tainaka misses with a series of wild punches.
Nice straight punches there by Sparks. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Sparks.
Sparks looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Tainaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sparks manages to avoid it.
Nice uppercut there from Sparks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tainaka swings for the body but Sparks moves out of range.
Sparks bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tainaka's head backwards.
Sparks scores with a hook to the body. Tainaka takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tainaka takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Sparks lands with a cross.
Tainaka needs to keep his hands up - Sparks had a free shot at his head there.
Tainaka digs a good body shot into Sparks's ribs.
Tainaka is breathing heavily.
Sparks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tainaka.
Sparks feints and then cracks Tainaka's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tainaka down.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sparks 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 Tainaka has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tainaka and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tainaka misses with a hook to the body
and Sparks counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tainaka ducks under a wild hook from Sparks.
Sparks swings for the body but Tainaka moves out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sparks 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 Tainaka has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tainaka and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Sparks throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tainaka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tainaka fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tainaka.
Tainaka throws a shot from downtown. Sparks moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tainaka takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sparks ducks under a wild hook from Tainaka.
Sparks cracks a nice hook into Tainaka's ribs.
Tainaka throws a jab when Sparks was well out of range.
Sparks swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tainaka looks to throw the jab but Sparks is out of range.
Sparks smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice defenses there by Sparks.
Tainaka avoids a kick to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sparks.
Sparks changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sparks misses with a low kick.
Sparks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sparks fails to land with a series of punches.
Sparks takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sparks tries to land a leg kick but Tainaka saw it coming and moves away.
Sparks scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sparks swinging wildly here.
Tainaka throws a looping overhand right but Sparks ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Sparks throws a hook but Tainaka avoids it easily.
Tainaka misses with a low kick.
Sparks jabs Tainaka right on the nose. Tainaka blinks but takes it well.
Tainaka misses the jab.
Tainaka lands an overhand right.
Sparks throws a big shot that misses.
Sparks lands with a nice body punch.
Sparks scores with a jab.
Tainaka takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Sparks throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tainaka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tainaka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sparks.
Nice shot by Sparks.
Tainaka checks a leg kick.
A jab from Sparks finds it's way through Tainaka's defenses.
Tainaka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tainaka catches Sparks with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A looping hook to the body misses from Tainaka. Sparks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tainaka has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sparks misses with a wild body shot.
Sparks throws a solid leg kick but Tainaka takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sparks.
Tainaka lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sparks misses with a few strikes there.
Sparks takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sparks tests Tainaka's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tainaka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tainaka throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Tainaka misses with a combination
and Sparks cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sparks misses with a head kick.
Sparks fails with the takedown.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tainaka checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sparks slips a jab and a cross from Tainaka.
Tainaka takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sparks tried to score with a low kick but Tainaka checks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonathan Sparks dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Tainaka throws a looping overhand right but Sparks ducks down to avoid it.
Sparks lands with an overhand left.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Sparks!
Nice uppercut lands for Sparks. That snapped Tainaka's head back.
Sparks scores with a hook to the body. Tainaka takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A swing and a miss from Sparks.
Sparks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tainaka.
A punch combination from Tainaka misses.
Tainaka has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sparks finds it's way round the side to connect with Tainaka's head.
Sparks throws a leg kick

and Tainaka counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Sparks trying to hold on to Tainaka's head to control him but Tainaka postures up.
Sparks tries to get to full guard but Tainaka has control of the leg.
Tainaka throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tainaka wants to pass to mount but Sparks is defending the position.
Sparks tries to roll over but Tainaka keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tainaka missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Still in half guard, Tainaka seems content to control.
Sparks is looking to improve his position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sparks lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Sparks throws a body punch but Tainaka moves out of range.
Tainaka takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tainaka throws a hook but Sparks blocks it.
Sparks takes a swing at Tainaka's ribcage but misses.
Tainaka scores with a shot to the body.
Tainaka defending well as Sparks loads up on a big left hand.
Sparks blocks a jab.
A jab from Sparks misses.
Tainaka misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Tainaka looks to land a combination but Sparks avoids it well.
Sparks ducks under a wild hook from Tainaka.
Tainaka throws a right hand that Sparks ducks under and follows up with a left that Sparks also avoids with ease.
Sparks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tainaka.
Tainaka tries to work over Sparks's front leg with a kick but Sparks checks it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sparks.
Tainaka shoots for a double leg takedown but Sparks sprawls well. He's pushed Tainaka's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sparks tries a low kick but Tainaka avoids it.
Sparks showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tainaka.
Sparks does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Shinji Tainaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tainaka misses with an uppercut. Sparks saw that one coming.
Nice uppercut there from Sparks.
Nice defenses there by Sparks.
Sparks scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sparks throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sparks uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Tainaka checks a low kick from Sparks.
Sparks scores with a three punch combo!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tainaka closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sparks to the mat! Sparks manages to get full guard.
Sparks is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Sparks content to control rather than advance.
Sparks tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Tainaka.
Tainaka has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sparks is working away from the top position though.
Sparks thows a huge punch but Tainaka dodges it nicely.
Tainaka is looking for a sweep. Sparks is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Sparks is going to stand back up.
Tainaka keeping control of the position.
Sparks controlling the pace.
Tainaka tries to get to full guard but Sparks has control of the leg.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sparks misses with a low kick.
Sparks falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tainaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

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 Jonathan Sparks.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sparks, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jonathan Sparks!