PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tony Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikko Ilmeinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ilmeinen is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Imperial March. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Sparks
vs
Ilmeinen

182 cm
27
215 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

181 cm
22
225 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
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 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tony Sparks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mikko Ilmeinen!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Aafke Stam and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ilmeinen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sparks was covering up waiting for the punch and Ilmeinen finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ilmeinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sparks swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Sparks is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ilmeinen defends well.
Ilmeinen tries to stand but Sparks is controlling from the bottom.
Ilmeinen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sparks throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sparks tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ilmeinen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ilmeinen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ilmeinen wants to control from the top but Sparks keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sparks has his foot on Ilmeinen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ilmeinen works his way back into a safe position though.
Ilmeinen tries to stand but Sparks is controlling from the bottom.

Sparks had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ilmeinen defends it easily.
Ilmeinen throwing strikes from guard but Sparks blocks nicely.
Ilmeinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Sparks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sparks trying to strike off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ilmeinen preventing the sweep.
Sparks trying to control the position.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sparks is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sparks keeping moving, preventing Ilmeinen from controlling successfully.
Ilmeinen would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Ilmeinen won't allow Sparks to sweep him here.

Sparks looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Ilmeinen has picked Sparks up and slammed him! Sparks can't keep hold of the triangle and Ilmeinen manages to pass to side control!
Sparks regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks tries to get to full guard but Ilmeinen has control of the leg.
Sparks punching from the bottom.
Sparks tries to roll over but Ilmeinen keeps him under control.
Sparks is looking to control Ilmeinen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sparks avoid being mounted?
Sparks flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Ilmeinen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sparks does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ilmeinen throwing shots but Sparks is blocking nicely.

Sparks actively working from the bottom here.
Ilmeinen wants to take a breather but Sparks is having none of it.

That's four 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.
Sparks is pressing down on Ilmeinen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ilmeinen throws a strike but Sparks rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ilmeinen has his feet on Sparks's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Sparks misses with a head kick.
Sparks throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ilmeinen tries to clinch up but Sparks circles away and keeps his distance.
Ilmeinen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
No luck for Ilmeinen with that takedown attempt.
Ilmeinen takes one to the chin there.
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 Tony Sparks will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sparks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ilmeinen.
Sparks misses with a straight right.
Sparks lands a nice shot to the body.
Sparks looks to land a body kick but Ilmeinen moved away.
Ilmeinen closes the distance and clinches up with Sparks, looking for a takedown. Ilmeinen pushes Sparks against the cage but Sparks circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A punch combination from Sparks misses.
Ilmeinen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sparks swivels and escapes.
Tony Sparks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikko Ilmeinen.
Sparks misses with a low kick.
Sparks lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ilmeinen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sparks. Ilmeinen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sparks lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ilmeinen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ilmeinen is breathing heavily.
Sparks throws a left jab followed by a right to the body, Oh Ilmeinen colapses and takes a barrage of punches from Sparks as he moves to mount! the ref stops the fight and Ilmeinen is left battered and dazed whilst Sparks and his camp cheer!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tony Sparks!