PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Myeloid Leuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andy Starks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Myeloid Leuk had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 187.2lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Leuk
vs
Starks

186 cm
22
191 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
195 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Myeloid Leuk!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andy Starks!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leuk misses with a takedown attempt - Starks sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Leuk looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Starks tries a head kick but it misses.
Starks throws a sloppy head kick and Leuk moves out of range easily.
Leuk shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Starks pinned against the cage. Starks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leuk blocks a head kick by Starks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leuk fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Myeloid Leuk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Starks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Leuk closes this distance looking for a takedown but Starks circles away.
A head kick misses from Starks.
Starks tries a head kick but it misses.
Starks pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leuk blocks a head kick by Starks.
Starks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Leuk shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Starks pinned against the cage. Starks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Starks throws a head kick but Leuk moves out of range.

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.
Starks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Leuk blocks a head kick by Starks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Starks dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nice sprawl there from Starks as Leuk shoots in.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Leuk.
Leuk fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Myeloid Leuk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starks throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Andy Starks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leuk throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Starks's waist but Starks gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Leuk off to one side.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Leuk tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Starks swivels and escapes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Starks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Starks showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Leuk.
Starks stuffs the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Leuk closes this distance looking for a takedown but Starks circles away.
Leuk avoids the head kick by Starks.
Starks throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Starks has closed the distance and engaged Leuk in a clinch.
Leuk managing to block the knees to the body from Starks.

Starks breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Starks throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick from Starks lands but Leuk takes it in his stride.
Starks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Starks showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Leuk looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Starks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starks tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Starks looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Leuk is defending against the submission attempts here by Starks.

Leuk looking for submissions off his back.
Starks works his foot free and advances to mount.

Starks jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Leuk manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Starks thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Starks tries for a kimura but Leuk is defending well.
Leuk manages to work his way to half guard, despite Starks's best efforts.

Starks is working for a submission of some sort.
Starks trying to mount his opponent but Leuk defends it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Starks is looking for a kimura but Leuk is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Starks to get the leverage.

Starks is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Leuk has managed to free his arm - good work.

Starks is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Starks is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Leuk has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starks works his foot free and advances to mount.

Starks jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Leuk manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Starks tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Starks has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Starks is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Leuk has escaped the position, nice work there.
Leuk is looking for a sweep.

Starks working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Starks has knee on belly and moves into mount.

Starks working for a submission but Leuk is keeping him at bay.
Leuk is desperately trying to improve his position but Starks has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Starks really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A head kick misses from Starks.
Leuk blocks a head kick by Starks.
Starks blocks a leg kick.
Myeloid Leuk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starks throws a head kick that misses.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leuk with a lazy takedown attempt

and Starks counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Starks.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Starks passes Leuk's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Starks uses his free foot to push down on Leuk's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Leuk.
Leuk is wriggling around trying to escape.

Starks working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Leuk defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Starks.
Leuk tries to reverse the position but Starks maintains control.

Starks working for a submission but Leuk is keeping him at bay.

Starks looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leuk is trying to escape the mount but Starks keeps good control and instead manages to take Leuk's back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Starks has the hooks in. Leuk is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Leuk showing good submission defense here.

Starks is looking for the choke from the back position but Leuk is controlling his hands well.
Leuk manages to reverse the position and now he's in Starks's guard. Nice work there by Leuk.
Leuk preventing the sweep.
Leuk passes Starks's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Starks has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Starks makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Starks.
Leuk stands and throws Starks's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Starks manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leuk wants to pass the guard but Starks is defending well.

Starks is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Leuk pulls his head out easily.

Starks actively working from the bottom here.
Starks makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Starks.
Leuk stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Starks swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Starks working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Leuk doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Leuk manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leuk sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Starks's guard.
Starks landing a few short strikes.
Andy Starks has got the better of the ground game so far.

Starks actively working from the bottom here.
Starks tries to roll over but Leuk keeps him under control.
Starks is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Leuk's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Leuk's back!
Starks is trying to stick to Leuk's back but Leuk is turning into Starks. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Starks's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Leuk.

Starks working for a triangle but Leuk defends it easily.

Starks looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leuk advances to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Starks dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Leuk misses with a jab, cross combination.
Leuk blocks a head kick by Starks.

Starks looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Leuk!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Starks working for a submission but Leuk is keeping him at bay.
Leuk keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Starks looking to secure an arm triangle but Leuk defends it well.
Leuk slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Starks is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Leuk has managed to free his arm - good work.
Leuk moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Starks thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Starks slips nicely into half guard.

Starks is trying to work for a kimura but Leuk is defending well.
Starks trying to mount his opponent but Leuk defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starks works his way into full mount!
Leuk slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Starks is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Leuk is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Starks's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Starks's back!
Starks turns into Leuk and is now in his guard.
Starks pushes down on Leuk's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Leuk is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Starks's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Starks's back!
Starks can't escape the position.
Leuk is trying to stick to Starks's back but Starks is turning into Leuk. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Leuk's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Starks.

Starks drops back looking for a leg! Leuk is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Leuk manages to kick Starks off! Starks jumps back into Leuk's guard.

Leuk is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starks slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Leuk tries to buck Starks off but Starks is having none of it.
Leuk is working hard here to advance position.
Leuk gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

Starks looking to secure an arm triangle but Leuk defends it well.
Leuk regains half guard.
Starks passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Leuk!
Leuk bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Starks looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Starks has his foot on Leuk's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Leuk works his way back into a safe position though.

Starks looking for a guillotine here but Leuk defends easily.
Starks can't keep his opponent in guard - Leuk advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Leuk is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Starks doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Leuk.
Starks works his way to full guard. Good work.
Myeloid Leuk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leuk trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Leuk with a flurry of punches that miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy Starks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Starks 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 45:50
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 45:50
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andy Starks! Andy Starks retains his middleweight title!