PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and August Spies (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ferguson comes into the arena with Fabolous - My Time blaring out of the sound system. August Spies has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ferguson
vs
Spies

183 cm
22
207 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
219 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE
SPARTAN FIGHTWARE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kevin Ferguson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, August Spies!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferguson staying out of range there.
Spies stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Spies wants it to stay on the feet.
Spies misses with a wild combination.

Spies fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ferguson, pushing him back against the cage.
Ferguson working hard to break the clinch.
Ferguson managing to block the knees to the body from Spies.

Spies manages to break the clinch.

Ferguson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Spies!
Spies wants to control but Ferguson is having none of it.
Ferguson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Spies is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

That's two 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.
Spies is desperately trying to improve his position but Ferguson has a good base and remains in mount.
Spies tries to hold on but Ferguson postures up.
Ferguson looking to ground and pound but Spies is blocking nicely.
Spies is looking to get to half guard.
Spies sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spies is looking to improve his position.
Ferguson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Spies defending well though.
Ferguson wants to control but Spies is keeping him busy.

Spies manages to escape and get back to his feet!

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.
Ferguson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Ferguson tries to clinch but Spies is having none of it.
Ferguson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Spies swivels and escapes.
Ferguson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
August Spies is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Spies moves into range and clinches up with Ferguson.

Spies breaks from the clinch.
Spies listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Spies clinches.
Ferguson takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Kevin Ferguson has been cut.
Spies lands an elbow inside.
A frustrated look appears on Ferguson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ferguson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Spies just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ferguson is trying to break free.
Nice elbow from Spies.
Ferguson takes an elbow to the temple.
Spies with a knee to the head.

Spies drops Ferguson with a big knee straight up the middle! Ferguson is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

Ferguson is rocked!
Ferguson is breathing heavily.
Jab, jab by Spies - just one landing.
Oh Ferguson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Spies fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Spies looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ferguson seems to have got his legs back now.
Spies throws a front kick that sends Ferguson stumbling back into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

August Spies dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kevin Ferguson'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.

Spies clinches with his opponent.
Ferguson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Spies avoids it.
Spies lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Spies creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ferguson's defenses.
Spies scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ferguson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Spies lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Spies.

Kevin Ferguson's cut is getting worse.
Ferguson working hard to break the clinch.

Spies has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Ferguson is trying to keep an underhook but Spies manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Spies lands with a punch from half guard.
Spies is controlling the pace.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Spies is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ferguson defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spies moves nicely into side control.
Spies in side control lands a decent elbow.
Spies is looking to take a break and control but Ferguson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Spies working the body and head with strikes.
Spies in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Spies has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spies tries to bum rush Ferguson with a series of wild strikes but Ferguson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Spies closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Spies looking to throw knees to the head but Ferguson is blocking nicely.
Ferguson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Spies throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Fergusons head.
Spies lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ferguson tries to circle away but Spies has him pinned against the cage.

Spies's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ferguson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Spies scores with a three punch combo!
Spies thows a left - swing and a miss!

Spies clinches up with Ferguson and pushes him back against the cage.
Spies unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ferguson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spies lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Spies looking to throw knees to the head but Ferguson is blocking nicely.
Spies scores with a knee to the head.
Spies is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Spies pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spies closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Spies.

Spies manages to break the clinch.
Spies lands a nice shot that snaps Ferguson's head back.
Spies lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Danga de danga de dang - Spies scores with a four punch combination!
Spies scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Spies misses with a low kick.
Spies looks to score with a jab to the body but Ferguson is just out of range.
Ferguson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Spies can pounce on him.
Spies fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ferguson.
Spies lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ferguson's sensitive parts.
Spies turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Spies lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ferguson doesn't seem phased though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Spies with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spies landing knees to the head.

Kevin Ferguson's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Spies lands an elbow inside that Ferguson shrugs off.
A knee to the head by Spies.
A knee to the head by Spies.
Ferguson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Spies lands a knee to the head.

Spies breaks the clinch.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Spies - that will leave a mark!
Ferguson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Spies chopping away at his opponent's legs.
August Spies seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spies displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Spies lands a right hook to the body.
Ferguson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Spies gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Spies lands an elbow just above Ferguson 's eye.
Spies unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Spies landing knees to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

August Spies showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kevin Ferguson's cut.
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.

Spies moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Spies lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Spies misses with a leg kick.
Spies throws a leg kick but Ferguson sees it coming and moves out of range.

Spies drives through and clinches with Ferguson against the cage.
A short uppercut from Spies.
Spies lands an elbow just above Ferguson 's eye.
Spies lands with a light punch inside.
Spies lands a right hand.
Spies lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Spies softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nice elbow from Spies.
Spies scores with a shoulder strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Spies creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Spies misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Spies lands an elbow inside that Ferguson shrugs off.
Spies gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
August Spies seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Spies manages to break the clinch.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ferguson checks a leg kick.
Ferguson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Spies sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ferguson somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson slips under a jab.
Spies connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ferguson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Spies scoring well with a low kick there.
Spies has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Spies chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ferguson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Spies feints and then cracks Ferguson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ferguson down.
Spies works Ferguson's body with a nice hook.
A slapping leg kick lands for Spies.
Ferguson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ferguson on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Spies clinches.
Spies scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spies landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knees in the clinch landing for Spies.
Ferguson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Spies lands a nice knee to the body.
Ferguson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short uppercut from Spies.
Spies connects with a knee to the head.
Ferguson takes an elbow to the forehead.

Spies pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ferguson blocks the body kick.
Spies misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Spies throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Ferguson.
Spies swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ferguson shoots for a double leg takedown but Spies sprawls well. He's pushed Ferguson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Spies moves into range and clinches up with Ferguson.

Spies breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ferguson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Spies can pounce on him.
A head kick misses from Spies.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spies dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Spies dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ferguson. That did some damage!
Spies thows a body shot but no joy.
A nice inside leg kick there by Spies. That's going to slow Ferguson down.
Ferguson steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Spies. That one must have hurt.
Ferguson blocks a head kick by Spies.
Spies lands with a straight right. Ferguson didn't see that one coming.

Spies moves into the clinch successfully.

Spies breaks the clinch.
Spies connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
August Spies seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Spies slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ferguson tries to move into range but Spies moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Spies cracks Ferguson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ferguson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Spies.
Spies cracks Ferguson with a good jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Spies.
Spies throws a right hand that Ferguson ducks under and follows up with a left that Ferguson also avoids with ease.
The crowd cheers as Spies lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ferguson doesn't seem phased though.
Good shot there by Spies.
Spies lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Spies misses with a wild combination.

Spies gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ferguson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Spies lands an elbow just above Ferguson 's eye.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Spies obliges.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spies lands an uppercut.
Spies throws a knee to the head but misses.
Spies cracks Ferguson with a nice body shot.
Ferguson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ferguson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Spies lands a damaging elbow.

Spies's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

August Spies really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kevin Ferguson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Spies paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Spies lands a nice shot that snaps Ferguson's head back.
A bone on bone clash there as Ferguson blocks the leg kick.
Spies moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ferguson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Spies moves into the clinch.
Spies with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Spies pushes Ferguson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ferguson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Spies prevents it.

Spies breaks from the clinch.

Ferguson tries to keep at a distance but Spies has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nice elbow from Spies.
Spies throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ferguson takes an elbow to the temple.
Ferguson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Spies gets through Ferguson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Spies lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Spies lands an elbow inside that Ferguson shrugs off.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Spies connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ferguson's face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spies with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Spies lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ferguson wants to get back to striking at distance but Spies won't allow it.
Spies lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ferguson tries to break the clinch but Spies is controlling the position.
Spies lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Spies works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Spies lands an elbow inside that Ferguson shrugs off.
Nice elbow from Spies.

Spies breaks from the clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Spies misses the target.
Ferguson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Spies. Spies obviously looking to wear him down.
Kevin Ferguson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spies throws a nice head kick!
Spies comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Spies digs a good body shot into Ferguson's ribs.
Spies scores with a hook to the body. Ferguson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Spies takes the fight into the clinch.
Spies tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson tries to break free but Spies pushes him back against the cage.

Spies breaks from the clinch.
Spies cracks the inside of Ferguson's front leg.
Ferguson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Spies.
Spies looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Spies tries a head kick but it misses.
Spies feints and then cracks Ferguson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ferguson down.
A nice leg kick lands there from Spies.
A jab from Spies finds it's way through Ferguson's defenses.
Spies lands a high kick!
A shot to de liver by Spies. Beautiful body shot.

Spies moves into the clinch successfully.
Spies connects with a knee to the head.
Spies lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Spies breaks the clinch.

Spies rushes Ferguson and presses him up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson is trying to break the clinch but Spies has him pressed against the cage.
Spies utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Spies working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Spies breaks from the clinch.
Spies fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ferguson.
Spies throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Spies misses with a few strikes there.

Spies darts in and clinches Ferguson up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Spies.
Spies lands with a short shot to the head.
Spies lands an elbow inside that Ferguson shrugs off.
Ferguson tries to break free but Spies pushes him back against the cage.
Spies lands a knee to the head.
Spies lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Spies lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Spies cracks Ferguson with a nice body shot.
Ferguson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Knees to the body from Spies.
Spies throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ferguson is looking to break free of the clinch but Spies has double underhooks.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Spies scores with a knee to the head.
Spies crunches a lovely knee into Ferguson's ribcage.
Spies using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ferguson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Spies lands a knee to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Spies.
Spies keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ferguson's efforts to push away.
Ferguson working hard to break the clinch.
Spies lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Spies lands with a left to the head.
Spies managing to block the knees to the body from Ferguson.

Spies breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Spies chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Spies throws a push kick but Ferguson slaps the foot to one side.
Spies scores with a punch to the head.
Spies looks to land a body kick but Ferguson moved away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

August Spies dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Kevin Ferguson's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Spies lands a high kick!
Spies looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ferguson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ferguson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Spies.
Spies scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ferguson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Spies forces Ferguson back against the cage and clinches.
Spies lands a body punch.
Spies softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Spies with a knee to the head.
Ferguson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Spies lands an elbow just above Ferguson 's eye.
Spies connects with a knee to the head.

Spies breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Good exchange - Spies coming out on top.
A head kick from Spies lands but Ferguson takes it in his stride.
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.
Spies throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spies throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ferguson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Spies.
Spies throws a leg kick but Ferguson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Spies throws a leg kick which misses Ferguson's front leg but catches the back leg as Ferguson tries to avoid it.
Spies throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ferguson on the side of the head.
Ferguson tries to clinch but Spies is having none of it.
Spies fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ferguson manages to avoid it.

Ferguson tries to keep at a distance but Spies has taken the fight into the clinch.

Spies manages to break the clinch.
Ferguson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Spies misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ferguson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Spies defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ferguson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spies clinches up with Ferguson and pushes him back against the cage.
Spies lands a knee to the head.
Spies connects with a knee to the head.
Spies lands with a right to the head.
Spies lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ferguson backwards.
Spies lands an elbow inside.

Spies's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown but Spies shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spies fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ferguson on the side of the head.
Spies bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ferguson's head.
Ferguson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Spies.

Spies clinches up against the cage.
Spies scores with a shoulder strike.

Spies escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Spies forces Ferguson back against the cage and clinches.
Spies scores a nice knee to the body.
Ferguson can't break the clinch.

Spies manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spies connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ferguson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Spies.
Spies scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Spies cracks Ferguson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nice straight punches there by Spies. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Spies.
Spies lands a jab to Ferguson's midsection.
Spies fails to land with a series of punches.
Spies scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Spies connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Spies throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ferguson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
An inside leg kick lands from Spies.
Spies misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Spies connects with a jab.
A combination from Spies does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spies throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ferguson's head.
Spies connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ferguson momentarily.

Spies darts in and clinches Ferguson up against the cage.
Spies lands an elbow that stopped Ferguson in his tracks for a moment.
Spies connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ferguson's face.
Spies connects with a knee to the head.
Spies lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Spies connects with a knee to the head.
Spies misses with a knee to the head.
Ferguson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Spies lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ferguson takes an elbow to the temple.

Spies breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ferguson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ferguson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ferguson checks a leg kick.
Kevin Ferguson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Spies punishes Ferguson's body with a nice straight punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
August Spies comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Spies has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 41:50
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 41:50
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 41:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... August Spies!
August Spies is the new light heavyweight champion!