PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lance Partridge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Partridge
vs
Sparks

187 cm
26
185 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

185 cm
23
190 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lance Partridge!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tommy Sparks!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Elvis Blanc and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Partridge looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Partridge wants to control from the top but Sparks keeps moving.
Sparks controls Partridge momentarily but Partridge frees himself.
Sparks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Partridge won't allow Sparks to get back to his feet.
Partridge trying to control the position from guard on top but Sparks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Partridge misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sparks fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Partridge is out of range.
Partridge circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sparks tries to clinch there but Partridge circles away.
Sparks throws a hook but Partridge blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks shoots in but Partridge avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sparks throws an overhand right that lands on Partridge's shoulder, as Partridge tries to avoid the shot.
Partridge walks into a jab.

It looks like Lance Partridge has been cut.
A slow jab from Sparks misses its intended target.

Partridge looking to score a takedown here. Sparks is defending well but Partridge drives through and ends up in Sparks's guard.
Sparks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Partridge in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sparks is looking to stand up but Partridge isn't so interested in that idea.
Partridge working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Partridge stopping the sweep attempt from Sparks.
Partridge 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sparks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sparks tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Partridge pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sparks is keeping the position for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Partridge preventing the sweep.
Sparks is looking to stand up but Partridge isn't so interested in that idea.
Partridge controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A jab from Sparks misses.
Sparks is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sparks throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Partridge counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sparks's guard now.
Partridge prevents Sparks from getting back to his feet.
Partridge with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Partridge throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Partridge stopping the sweep attempt from Sparks.
Partridge trying to control the position from guard on top but Sparks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sparks wants to sweep but no luck.
Partridge wants to control from the top but Sparks keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Lance Partridge.
Partridge shoots in for a takedown but Sparks shows good takedown defense.
Sparks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sparks dives in and grabs Partridge's left leg, looking for a takedown. Partridge pushes down on Sparks's head and hops out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Partridge fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Partridge throws a push kick but Sparks slaps the foot to one side.
Sparks shoots in for a takedown but Partridge shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lance Partridge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Sparks.
Partridge avoids the head kick by Sparks.
Sparks scores with a decent looking hook.
Nice takedown defense from Partridge. No joy for Sparks on that attempt.
Sparks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sparks misses with a takedown
and Partridge counters with a nice uppercut.
Sparks looks gassed!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Partridge tries a low kick but Sparks avoids it.
Nice takedown defense from Sparks. No joy for Partridge on that attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Partridge uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sparks.
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 Lance Partridge will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Lance Partridge's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Partridge.
Partridge moves out of range as Sparks strikes.

Partridge shoots in and gets a takedown into Sparks's guard.

Partridge drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sparks looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sparks looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sparks!

Sparks tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sparks has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
You can see the frustration on Partridge's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Partridge throws Sparks to one side and escapes!
Partridge keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Partridge shoots for a double leg takedown but Sparks sprawls well. He's pushed Partridge's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Partridge scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sparks doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks slaps away a takedown attempt from Partridge, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sparks thuds his right hand into Partridge's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sparks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Sparks rushes Partridge and presses him up against the cage.
Sparks has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Partridge after a bit of a struggle.
Sparks is trying to pull guard but Partridge has him pressed against the cage.

Partridge has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Sparks regains guard immediately.
Sparks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Sparks pushes Partridge off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sparks throws out a loose jab but Partridge uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sparks misses with a takedown attempt - Partridge sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lance Partridge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Sparks.
Sparks tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tommy Sparks seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Partridge ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sparks shoots in but no luck this time.
Sparks is breathing heavily.
Sparks misses with a body kick.
Sparks throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Partridge avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Partridge closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sparks circles away.
Sparks looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tommy Sparks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sparks wants to clinch
and Partridge counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks closes the distance and clinches up with Partridge, looking for a takedown. Sparks pushes Partridge against the cage but Partridge circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Partridge blocks a leg kick.
Partridge misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sparks with a nice cross.

Partridge shoots in and gets a takedown into Sparks's guard.
Partridge landing with the ground and pound.
Partridge distracts Sparks with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lance Partridge overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Partridge lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sparks working a defensive guard here.
Partridge loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Partridge sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Sparks's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparks gets back to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Partridge loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Partridge scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Partridge with a nice head shot there.
Sparks is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sparks is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Partridge wants to control from the top but Sparks keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Partridge connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lance Partridge dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Lance Partridge's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sparks connects with a high kick.

Sparks moves into the clinch successfully.
Sparks is trying to break free.

Partridge drags the fight down to the ground.
Partridge lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sparks!
Sparks sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Partridge throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Partridge prevents Sparks from improving his position.
Sparks flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Partridge working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Sparks kicks off Partridge and gets to his feet.
Partridge keeps the fight on the outside.
Partridge shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sparks pinned against the cage. Sparks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A jab from Sparks finds it's way through Partridge's defenses.
Sparks throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Partridge on the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sparks. Partridge does a little dance to reset his feet.

Partridge is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sparks's half guard.
Sparks is looking to improve his position.
Sparks blocking the ground and pound attempt from Partridge.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Partridge is looking for a kimura but Sparks is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Partridge to get the leverage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Partridge not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sparks pushes Partridge off looking to stand but Partridge dives back in and keeps control.
Partridge has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Partridge working for a guillotine from mount but Sparks is in no mood to give up.

Partridge wants to finish this one by submission but Sparks is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Partridge.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks is trying to escape the mount.
Sparks tries to hold on but Partridge postures up.
Sparks is trying to escape the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Partridge throws some wild stikes that Sparks manages to avoid easily.
Sparks wants to control but Partridge is having none of it.
Partridge trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sparks keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Partridge unloads with some shots from mount but Sparks bucks and avoids them well.
Partridge landing punches.

Partridge goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Sparks is on top in guard.
Partridge is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sparks must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Partridge has momentary wrist control but Sparks slips an elbow through the middle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sparks gets to his feet. Partridge looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Partridge blocks a head kick by Sparks.
Tommy Sparks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sparks closes the distance and clinches up with Partridge, looking for a takedown. Sparks pushes Partridge against the cage but Partridge circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tommy Sparks.
I think Partridge 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lance Partridge!