PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bart Sparta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Rasmussen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Sparta
vs
Rasmussen

198 cm
24
220 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
18
204 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bart Sparta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nathan Rasmussen!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rasmussen's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Rasmussen duly obliges.
A combination from Rasmussen does no damage.
Bart Sparta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rasmussen looks for a takedown but Sparta sprawls well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sparta.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rasmussen.
Rasmussen misses with a wild combination.
Sparta falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Rasmussen counter with a right hand.
Sparta doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rasmussen counters with a takedown into side control.
Sparta is looking for a sweep.
Sparta wants to get back to his feet.
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.
Sparta is trying to control Rasmussen's posture but Rasmussen avoids it.
Sparta is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's two 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.
Rasmussen moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Rasmussen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rasmussen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Sparta tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Rasmussen presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sparta is looking to escape.
Sparta bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Sparta is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rasmussen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rasmussen has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparta tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sparta is striking but Rasmussen is not phased and passes to half guard.
Sparta trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Rasmussen dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rasmussen tries to clinch up.
Rasmussen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sparta stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sparta shoots and misses
and Rasmussen counters with a three punch combo that has Sparta backing up. Sparta nods at Rasmussen to acknowledge the strikes.
Sparta tries to clinch but Rasmussen is having none of it.
Rasmussen tries to close the distance and clinch but Sparta swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rasmussen looks to land a combination but Sparta avoids it well.
No luck for Rasmussen with that takedown attempt.
Rasmussen avoids the head kick by Sparta.
Sparta misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rasmussen shoots and misses

and Sparta counters by moving into the clinch.
Sparta looking to throw knees to the head but Rasmussen is blocking nicely.
Sparta prevents the takedown attempt.
Bart Sparta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nathan Rasmussen.
Rasmussen is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasmussen tries for a takedown but Sparta manages to get underhooks.
Rasmussen is pressed up against the cage. Sparta has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rasmussen down to the mat. Rasmussen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rasmussen shoots and misses

and Sparta counters with a shoot takedown. Rasmussen fights it but they end up in guard.
Sparta throws a big right hand that misses.
Sparta thows a big elbow that misses.
Sparta slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sparta loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sparta stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rasmussen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sparta showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sparta passes Rasmussen's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Well, if Sparta 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Bart Sparta has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A punch combination from Sparta misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sparta fails with a takedown attempt.
Sparta tries to clinch but Rasmussen moves out of range.

Sparta shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rasmussen is trying to defend but Sparta finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sparta thows a huge punch but Rasmussen dodges it nicely.
Sparta is taking a breather. Rasmussen says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bart Sparta 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!

Sparta moves into the clinch successfully.
Sparta throws an elbow but it misses.

Sparta pulls Rasmussen into guard.
Sparta lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rasmussen!
Rasmussen is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sparta unloads with some shots from mount but Rasmussen bucks and avoids them well.
Rasmussen tries to reverse the position but Sparta maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparta tries to control but Rasmussen wriggling away.
Rasmussen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sparta punching from mount but Rasmussen doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Rasmussen defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Sparta.
Bart Sparta overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Poor strikes thrown by Sparta there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's two 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.
Sparta controlling the pace for now.
Rasmussen holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Sparta tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Sparta controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen is wriggling around trying to escape.
Sparta takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Sparta throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's four 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.
Poor strikes thrown by Sparta there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Rasmussen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Sparta landing punches.
Sparta misses with a head shot.
Sparta controlling the pace for now.
Sparta will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bart Sparta showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sparta has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bart Sparta!