PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Deep (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darren Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Deep
vs
Sparks

181 cm
26
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
21
200 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

XTREME PWNAGE: Down Under! $25

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Johnny Deep!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Darren Sparks!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Winston Howard and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sparks goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A jab lands there for Sparks.
Sparks pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Sparks closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Sparks trying to control the action but Deep is working from the bottom.

Sparks stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Sparks misses with a body shot.
Deep misses with a takedown
and Sparks counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sparks forces Deep back against the cage and clinches.

Sparks breaks from the clinch.
Deep blocks a head kick by Sparks.
Deep fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Sparks gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Deep jumps guard but Sparks stands there with Deep around his waist. Deep gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Deep. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sparks breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Deep gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sparks counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deep walks into a left hand.
Sparks throws a head kick that misses.

Sparks darts in and clinches Deep up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sparks.
Deep is trying to pull guard but Sparks turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Sparks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Deep feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sparks is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Deep trying to control but Sparks is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deep stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sparks swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sparks wants to get back to his feet but Deep is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sparks manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Deep manages to get himself to full guard.
Sparks controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Deep looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sparks trying to control but Deep is working from the bottom.
Sparks engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deep keeping full guard, as Sparks tries to pass.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Darren Sparks wasn't active enough on the ground.

Sparks tries to sprawl but Deep drives through with a takedown into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Deep controlling the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sparks pushes Deep off looking to stand but Deep dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darren Sparks dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sparks drives through with a takedown into Deep's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Deep looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sparks is one step ahead there.
Sparks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sparks stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Sparks scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Sparks wants to take a breather but Deep is having none of it.
Sparks trying to control the pace.
Deep tries to get to full guard but Sparks has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks trying to pass the guard but Deep defending well.
Deep is not content to let Sparks control the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Darren Sparks hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Deep looks to land a body kick but Sparks moved away.
Deep will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Sparks feints and as Deep raises his hands in defense, Sparks changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sparksis looking to pass into half guard but Deep pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Deep is in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deep stops Sparks from standing up.
Deep is standing up over Sparks. Sparks looks to escape but Deep dives into side control.
Sparks tries to improve position but can't.

Deep tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Deep has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Sparks regains half guard.
Deep is looking to pass Sparks's guard but actually Sparks recovers to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Deep not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deep keeping moving, preventing Sparks from controlling successfully.
Deep keeping full guard, as Sparks tries to pass.

Deep is working an open guard so Sparks takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Sparks looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Deep!
Sparks looking to ground and pound but Deep is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deep is controlling an arm, preventing Sparks from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Sparks tries to control but Deep wriggling away.
Sparks is trying to take his opponent's back.

Sparks get's back to his feet.

Sparks clinches with his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Deep misses with a hook to the ribs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sparks breaks the clinch.

Sparks fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Deep, pushing him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darren Sparks showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Sparks throws a right and a left that Deep avoids nicely.
Sparks scores with a one two! Deep had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sparks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Deep misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Some wild striking there from Sparks.

Sparks moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deep tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sparks smiles and moves away.
Sparks throws an overhand right that lands on Deep's shoulder, as Deep tries to avoid the shot.
Sparks connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Sparks is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Deep's half guard.
Sparks moves nicely into side control.
Sparks trying to control the position but Deep is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deep is looking to regain half guard here but Sparks keeps moving and retains side control.
Sparks wants to lay and pray for a moment but Deep keeps working.
Darren Sparks has got the better of the ground game so far.

Sparks decides to stand back up.
Sparks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Deep moves away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sparks closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Deep's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks wants to stand and escape but instead Deep has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Sparks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Deep passes Sparks's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sparks is looking to escape.

Deep is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sparks is just riding it out for now. Deep eventually gives up the hold.

Deep is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Deep wants to work for an arm triangle but Sparks is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Johnny Deep has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Deep wants to pass the guard but Sparks is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Deep is working for a submission of some sort.
Darren Sparks is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Deep thows a huge punch but Sparks dodges it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darren Sparks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sparks 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darren Sparks!
Darren Sparks managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Milwaukee's Best Q159, into his post fight interview.