PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Link Gatez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sparks comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Survivor - Glen kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gatez
vs
Sparks

178 cm
23
216 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

190 cm
25
209 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Link Gatez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jimmy Sparks!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Felipe Paraventi and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gatez shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Gatez misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Sparks wants to try and get back to his feet.
Gatez lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Sparks holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Gatez tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Gatez throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Gatez throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

Gatez goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Sparks is on top in guard.
Sparks trying to control the position from guard on top but Gatez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sparks drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sparks jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sparks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sparks preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks being controlled here momentarily.
Gatez looking for a sweep. Not yet Gatez, not yet.
Sparks must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gatez is trying to keep Sparks in close.
Sparks really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gatez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gatez is on top in guard.
Gatez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sparks wants to get back to his feet but Gatez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gatez throwing strikes but missing.
Sparks is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gatez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gatez won't allow Sparks to get back to his feet.
Gatez is looking to work some ground and pound but Sparks has wrist control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gatez 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 connects with a looping right hand.
Sparks connects with a right hand. Gatez shakes it off.
Sparks shoots and misses
and Gatez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Jimmy Sparks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gatez bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Gatez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gatez lands with a short shot to the head.
Gatez lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Gatez throws a punch but it's blocked by Sparks.
A head punch on the inside from Gatez fails to land.
Sparks's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatez taking a breather.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sparks is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sparks gets underhooks to prevent Gatez's takedown attempt.
Gatez lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gatez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sparks is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gatez can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Link Gatez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gatez lands a body punch.
Gatez lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sparks backwards.

Gatez lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Gatez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sparks keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gatez with the ground and pound but Sparks uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Gatez landing some decent shots from guard.
Gatez throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gatez throws a strike but Sparks rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Gatez 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.

Sparks drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sparks jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gatez wants to sweep here but Sparks controlling him for the moment.
Sparks throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gatez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sparks trying to control the position from guard on top but Gatez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gatez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sparks's guard.
Gatez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sparks wants to stand and escape but Gatez is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gatez lands a nice shot to the body.
Gatez jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Gatez connects with a looping right hand.
Sparks falls off balance throwing a combination

and Gatez counters with a shoot takedown. Sparks fights it but they end up in guard.
Gatez is looking to work some ground and pound but Sparks has wrist control.
Gatez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sparks's head.
Sparks wants to stand but Gatez is controlling the position.
Gatez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sparks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gatez scoring with some ground and pound.
Gatez with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatez working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sparks's head.
Sparks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gatez.
Gatez throws a big right hand that misses.
Gatez throws and elbow that misses. Sparks uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gatez's guard. Nice move by Sparks!
Gatez wants to sweep but no luck.
Sparks looking to pass the guard.
Gatez looking to control.
Sparks won't allow Gatez to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gatez looking to control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
No joy there for Sparks, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sparks misses the jab.
Sparks drops his hands momentarily and Gatez takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Gatez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sparks.

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.
Gatez takes one to the chin there.
Nice uppercut lands for Sparks. That snapped Gatez's head back.
Sparks misses with a series of wild punches.
Gatez cracks Sparks with a good jab.
Sparks misses with the body kick

and Gatez counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Sparks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gatez lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Gatez postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sparks is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gatez, into his guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sparks postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gatez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sparks manages to get himself to full guard.
Gatez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks wants to stand and escape but Gatez is having none of it.
Gatez is working Sparks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Gatez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sparks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gatez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sparks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gatez with a flurry of punches that miss.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gatez tries to move into range but Sparks moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Gatez fails with a takedown attempt.
Sparks throws a solid leg kick but Gatez takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sparks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Gatez clinches.
Sparks blocking some punches.
Sparks is trying to drag Gatez to the mat but Gatez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sparks drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gatez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sparks doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gatez counters with a nice body shot.
Link Gatez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Sparks.
Sparks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A cross from Gatez lands.
Sparks throws a jab but it's blocked by Gatez.
Sparks throws an overhand right that lands on Gatez's shoulder, as Gatez tries to avoid the shot.
Gatez takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sparks with a poor takedown
and Gatez counters with a nice body shot.
Gatez staying out of range there.
A slow jab from Sparks misses its intended target.
Gatez scores with a nice head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Link Gatez dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Sparks looks to throw the jab but Gatez is out of range.
Sparks connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Gatez staying out of range there.
Sparks fails with the takedown
and Gatez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sparks on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Gatez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Sparks avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Gatez.

Gatez is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sparks is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Gatez lands a decent elbow from side control.
Gatez postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatez is chipping away with strikes.
Gatez laying and praying for a moment but Sparks takes advantage and regains half guard.
Sparks looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gatez thows a huge punch but Sparks dodges it nicely.
Gatez prevents Sparks from standing back up.
Sparks keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sparks blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gatez.

Gatez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sparks defends it well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gatez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sparks defending well though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sparks lands a lovely overhand right.
A lazy left from Sparks finds it's target.

Gatez pushes Sparks up against the cage in a clinch.
Gatez swings wildly with an uppercut but Sparks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gatez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sparks goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gatez prevents it.
Gatez lands a body shot in the clinch.
Link Gatez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Gatez is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Sparks can't fight it off and eventually Gatez manages to take the fight to the floor. Sparks looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gatez trying to control but Sparks is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sparks keeping moving, preventing Gatez from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gatez wants to pass the guard but Sparks is keeping the position.
Sparks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

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.
Sparks keeping moving, preventing Gatez from controlling successfully.
Sparks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A jab from Sparks misses.
Sparks closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Sparks throws out a loose jab but Gatez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sparks has his takedown stuffed
and Gatez counters with a stiff right hand.
Link Gatez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Sparks.

Gatez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Gatez content to stall in guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Link Gatez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gatez has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Link Gatez!